MIGRATION

Ontario Announces Changes to Immigration Program

Dr. George Therapondos, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at the Mutli Organ Transplant Program 
at University Health Network, visits with Ontario Minister Michael Chan following the launch of 
Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.

On February 20 at Toronto General Hospital in Toronto, Minister Chan announced changes to Ontario's provincial immigration plan to help attract investors and helping businesses grow and compete.  These changes will make it easier for Ontario's employers to get highly skilled employees and to fulfil their labour market demands. 

What remains the same?

Employers can attract individuals from abroad; individuals in Canada on a work permit or international student graduates from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.

The process is employer-driven and the job offer must:

• be permanent, full-time

• pay market wage

• not affect the settlement of any labour dispute or adversely affect employment or training opportunities of Ontarians.

Approved individuals are selected and recommended for permanent resident status to the federal government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada).   

Opportunities Ontario helps attract investments of significant importance to Ontario, investments that create jobs. It allows staff who are key to the long-term success of the investment to obtain permanent resident status.

What is new?

Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program allows the province to select a limited number of immigrants. The program is mandated under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), and builds on the lessons learned from a pilot program, which began in 2007. It gives the province the ability to fast-track a limited number of skilled workers through the federal immigration system. The program will target approximately 1,000 nominees, is an update to the first-ever Ontario pilot provincial nominee program launched in May, 2007. 

The program will:

• Enable business to succeed by quickly filling vacancies for professional, managerial and skilled trades positions.

• Attract investment by facilitating the immigration application process for key employees of investors who commit to creating jobs for Ontarians. 

• Give employers the option of permanently hiring international students who have the skills and knowledge they need.

With this program,

• International students can qualify for jobs outside their field of study.

• More investors are eligible. Investors must invest at least $3 million and create at least five permanent, full time jobs in Ontario.   

o     Fees are: 

 Foreign Workers within GTA $2,000

o     Foreign Workers outside GTA $1,500

o     International Students $1,500

o     Employees of Investors $3,500

How does the Program Work?

The employer applies to Opportunities Ontario for approval of a nominee position(s). If approved, the employer recruits a qualified individual (nominee), with the relevant qualifications for the position(s).

Individuals are selected for permanent resident status and have their application for permanent residency fast-tracked by the federal immigration department, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Dr. George Therapondos, a recent nominee of the program also spoke at the announcement. Originally from Cyprus, he completed his BSc.(Med Sci) in 1991 and MB ChB in 1992 from University  of Edinburgh UK, and was later given the opportunity to immigrate to Ontario under this program.

Dr. Therapondos now works as the Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at the Multi Organ Transplant Program at University Health Network and has been an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University Of Toronto and practicing Hepatologist since 2005. He is now affiliated with multiple Medical Associations both Canadian and International. Furthermore, Dr. Therapondos is also serves as a member of various committees related to organ transplant and gastroenterology-- he has no doubt brought a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to Ontario. He shares this both graciously and willingly and has published many papers.  He has been an active clinical researcher in the fields of advanced liver disease/portal hypertension and liver transplantation.