Ontario’s **Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)** has quietly adjusted the scoring grid for its brand-new Workforce Priority stream, giving a significant leg-up to candidates who have earned at least CAD 80,000 in any single tax year over the past five years. A bulletin posted 7 October 2026 confirms that registrants meeting that income threshold now receive an extra 10 points under the “earnings history” factor; the change was applied automatically to every existing Expression of Interest as of 5 October. The Workforce Priority stream replaced eight former OINP employer-driven streams this summer and is currently the only way foreign talent can secure a provincial nomination from Ontario. Under the new system, profiles are ranked on Canadian work experience, occupational demand, language, education and verified earnings. By singling out high earners, Queen’s Park is signalling that retention of well-remunerated talent—particularly in technology, health care and the skilled trades—has become a strategic priority. For employers, the shift means that senior staff and specialised professionals who already command higher wages are more likely to secure invitations when Ontario conducts its next draw. Lower-paid workers, including many in hospitality and retail, will see no change and may find the competition slightly steeper. Because the province did not republish point values for lower income bands, immigration counsel should review the latest program guides rather than rely on outdated grids. The move dovetails with broader labour-market trends: Statistics Canada data released the same day show unfilled vacancies persisting above 500,000 nationally, with Ontario shouldering the largest share. Provincial officials argue that rewarding proven earners accelerates economic contributions and tax revenues, while critics say the policy risks overlooking newcomers whose wages have been suppressed by credential barriers. Either way, multinational HR teams with Ontario operations should audit the CRA Notices of Assessment on file for foreign workers—an $80k year could now be worth 10 decisive points.
Source: IRCC.com
