The Ontario case and the suspension of the Trades

The recent suspension of the SkilledTrades category of the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program (OINP) has created a lot of uncertainty for some permanent residence applicants. The reason is that many confuse the Express Entry application process with the Provincial Nomination. Although both systems offer the status of permanence in the country, the processes are different. So keep calm and understand how the Canadian immigration system operates.

In this blog, I will explain how the suspension announced by Ontario impacts Trades candidates and give you a clear view on the two most important immigration routes: Express Entry and Provincial Nomination. Read with me to the end and evaluate your alternatives to Ontario's closure of the Trades category. Let's get started.

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Express Entry vs. Provincial Nomination

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Express Entry is the federal system that administers eligibility for major economic programs nationwide. It uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point system to rank and select the best profiles across the board.

Unlike the Provincial Nomination (PNP), which is the system that allows provinces (e.g., Ontario) to select those candidates that meet their specific labor market needs. It also awards an additional 600 CRS points if the profile is linked to Express Entry.

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How is the PNP linked to Express Entry?

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There are certain provincial nominations that are created 100% in the province's system profile, catering to the specific requirements of the region; and there are others where the profile has been created in the Express Entry system and this is then linked to the nomination.

This linkage occurs when the province, in reviewing profiles in the federal Express Entry pool, identifies and sends a Notice of Interest to a candidate who meets its labor needs. If the candidate accepts, then the province nominates the candidate. 

Achieving this nomination awards a total of 600 additional CRS points, which almost guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next drawing.

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The case of Ontario and the Trades: why does it generate confusion?

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In the case of the current suspension, the main clarification is that, in Ontario, there are programs that are handled by Express Entry, the Trades were part of some of them.

The confusion in the community lies in whether the suspension of the provincial program affects the existence or eligibility of the Express Entry profile.

The reality is that Express Entry (the federal system) and Provincial Nomination (Ontario's program) are separate entities. While the province uses the federal pool to select candidates, the provincial suspension only affects that specific OINP stream. Your Express Entry profile remains active and visible to other Ontario streams or to any other province in Canada that operates Trades programs.

So, we want to give you immediate peace of mind: if you have an Express Entry profile and qualify for theTrades category, don't worry, as your profile has continuity in the Express Entry pool and remains eligible for other active Ontario streams. In short, your eligibility for other Express Entry categories remains intact.

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Some common concerns about suspension

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This news leads us to reflect on the importance of knowing how the Canadian immigration system works. Candidates affected or concerned about what will happen to their profile can reflect on their immigration status through these questions and recommendations:

1. My Express Entry profile was already created prior to the Ontario suspension and my occupation is a skilled trade(Trade)?
2. My CRS score is less than 470 points and I was completely dependent on the 600 provincial nomination points to get my ITA?
3. Is a Notice of Interest equivalent to an Invitation to Apply (ITA)? Is the stream the category?

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Recommendations for finding alternatives

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We recommend that you consider whether you meet the requirements of other provinces that are still looking for Trades candidates.

In addition, explore other immigration strategies or ways to increase your CRS score, for example, by improving your language skills (English or French) or getting a valid job offer.

If you have doubts about terminology, the best thing to do is to read about the Canadian immigration system and its process. We know it is complex, but in order to obtain permanent residency, it is necessary to correctly identify the names of the programs and the candidate's own profile.

If these questions and recommendations generated new doubts, this is a clear indicator that you need professional advice and an updated immigration plan.

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Immigration advice with Immiland Canada

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At Immiland Canada, we have a team of CICC consultants and Canadian lawyers specialized in immigration processes. Before any interruption or suspension in immigration programs, the best strategy is to prepare a plan with different options.

If you need help preparing your plan, calculating your CRS score or your eligibility under other non-suspended provincial streams , contact us and we will be happy to do a free assessment of your profile.

I hope this topic has cleared your doubts. Thank you for reading. We look forward to seeing you in the next blog.

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With love,

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Immiland Canada