We, the undersigned, are skilled workers in Ontario who have been contributing to the province’s economy for years. We respectfully bring attention to the serious challenges caused by the suspension of the OINP Skilled Trades Express Entry Stream.

Background & Reason for Suspension

The Skilled Trades Stream was suspended because of fraud, misrepresentation, and fake payroll cases linked to some applicants and employers. We fully support the government’s efforts to control fraud and ensure program integrity.

However, due to these isolated fraudulent activities:

Thousands of genuine skilled workers are now suffering consequences for actions they did not commit.
Workers with real, full-time employment and genuine work experience are being punished indirectly.
The entire stream has been paused instead of targeting fraudulent cases only.

Impact on Genuine Skilled Workers

No draw has been conducted since October 2024, and approximately 2,600 applications were returned without being processed. The OINP Skilled Trades Stream was suspended due to fake payroll and misrepresentation by some applicants, but this suspension has unfairly impacted thousands of genuine skilled workers. Skilled workers who have been working hard and paying taxes in Ontario now face:-

Loss of legal status or becoming out of status

Work permits expiring soon without any support

No Alternative PR Pathway for Many Skilled Workers

A major reason skilled workers are stuck is because:-

Large companies and other major corporations do not provide employer support letters

Without employer support, workers cannot apply for employer-based PNP streams

Many small businesses do not meet OINP employer eligibility requirements, leaving workers without options

As a result, thousands of genuine workers have absolutely no alternative PR pathway, and the Skilled Trades Stream was the only program available to them.

Now, due to the suspension, workers with real jobs, real payroll, and real experience are being left helpless.

Our Requests

1. Restore the OINP Skilled Trades Express Entry Stream

Reopen the program so that genuine workers are not penalized for fraud committed by others.

2. Resume Draws and Process the Pending 2,600 Candidates

Take back the pending pool of approximately 2,600 applicants who were already waiting before the suspension.

3. Support Workers With Expiring Work Permits

Provide temporary measures or extensions for those whose work permits are expiring and who have no alternative immigration pathway.

Why This Matters

Genuine skilled workers have:

Contributed to Ontario’s labour market for years

Been essential in telecommunications, construction, maintenance, and infrastructure

Paid taxes and supported the economy

Filled labour shortages identified by the government

Punishing genuine workers because of someone else’s fraud will damage Ontario’s ability to retain skilled talent.