PNP
OINP Issued New Invitations for French-Speaking Candidates: September 2024
On September 5, 2024, the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) held its third round of invitations in Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream. This draw is part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled Francophone professionals to the province, aiming to meet growing labor market demands while promoting the use of both official languages—English and French. By focusing on French-speaking candidates, the province strengthens its bilingual culture and offers an inclusive approach to immigration.
Key Highlights of the Draw
In the September 5 draw, 86 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) were issued to French-speaking candidates who had relevant work experience in TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These categories encompass a wide range of skilled occupations, including management roles, professional occupations, and technical trades.
The draw invited candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, highlighting Ontario’s effort to bring in skilled workers from multiple industries, ensuring a balanced workforce.
CRS Score Range: The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for this draw ranged between 290 and 393 points, ensuring that the pool of candidates was both competitive and diverse. Candidates with these scores demonstrate a mix of strong qualifications, relevant work experience, and language proficiency, particularly in French.
Profile Creation Dates: Candidates invited in this round had Express Entry profiles created between September 5, 2023, and September 5, 2024. This one-year timeframe provides flexibility for applicants, ensuring that the most up-to-date and qualified profiles are considered.
Ontario’s Ongoing Efforts to Invite Skilled Workers
The September 2024 draw is the third round under the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream this year, showcasing Ontario’s dedication to attracting Francophone talent. The province’s focus on French-speaking skilled workers is not just about filling labor gaps but also about fostering bilingualism, a key value in Ontario’s multicultural identity.
Ontario has been actively using the Express Entry system to invite skilled workers from all over the world. So far in 2024, the province has invited 33,998 candidates through various OINP streams, demonstrating its commitment to welcoming a wide range of talents and supporting economic growth across various sectors.
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream continues to play an integral role in this strategy by encouraging Francophone immigrants to settle in Ontario, where French-speaking communities thrive, particularly in Ottawa and other regions across the province.
Why This Draw Matters
The importance of this draw goes beyond simply inviting skilled workers—it reflects Ontario’s broader strategy to enhance its workforce while maintaining its linguistic diversity. By focusing on French-speaking candidates, Ontario not only addresses labor shortages in key sectors but also ensures that French-speaking services are readily available for residents.
This draw aligns with Ontario’s goal to strengthen its bilingual services in healthcare, education, business, and other vital industries. The TEER Categories targeted in the draw include a broad spectrum of professions, making it easier for the province to meet its evolving labor market needs while creating opportunities for Francophone immigrants to establish a successful life in Canada.
In particular, the focus on candidates with relatively modest CRS scores (as low as 290 points) makes Ontario more accessible to qualified professionals, offering them a chance to contribute to the province’s economy and settle in an environment that values both their skills and their language abilities.
The September 5, 2024, OINP draw marks another significant step in Ontario’s ongoing efforts to attract highly skilled French-speaking professionals. With 86 NOIs issued and a focus on a broad range of occupations, this draw offers an excellent opportunity for Francophone candidates looking to establish themselves in Ontario. As the province continues to prioritize French-speaking immigration streams, it underscores Ontario’s commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse, and bilingual workforce. This latest draw not only fills gaps in key sectors but also reinforces Ontario’s reputation as a welcoming destination for skilled professionals from around the world.
