The Sarnia-Lambton region has been selected to participate in the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot, a one-year initiative under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Running from January 2 to December 31, 2025, the pilot will allocate 200 nominations to help local employers attract and retain skilled foreign workers in high-demand industries.
Sarnia-Lambton joins Lanark County, Leeds and Grenville, and the City of Thunder Bay as the four pilot communities selected. The REDI pilot offers a pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers with job offers in these regions, aiming to address critical labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare, childcare, construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
The program's objectives include attracting highly skilled talent to Ontario’s regional communities, supporting local employers in filling workforce gaps, and fostering sustainable economic growth. Employers in the region will have access to dedicated support and information sessions provided by the OINP to maximize the program’s impact.
“Being selected as a pilot community is a significant step forward in addressing identified workforce gaps that are critical to Sarnia-Lambton’s economic growth and stability,” said Matthew Slotwinski, CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP). “The reserved allocations within the pilot ensure we can recruit highly skilled newcomers to accommodate hard-to-fill roles in key local industries, driving the economy forward while enriching our community.”
Communities participating in the REDI pilot were chosen based on their need for economic immigration, geographic and cultural diversity, labour challenges, and readiness to support the program. SLEP will collaborate with regional partners, including Lambton College, settlement agencies, the Chamber of Commerce, and Employment Ontario providers, to ensure the program meets workforce demands and helps newcomers settle successfully.
SLEP will also host a series of information sessions to educate employers and community stakeholders about the pilot. Details about these sessions will be shared on SLEP’s website and social media channels.
For more information about the REDI program, visit sarnialambton.on.ca/REDI or Ontario.ca/REDI.
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