Ontario Suspends Skilled Trades Immigration Stream, Cancels 2,600 Applications Over Fraud Allegations
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The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, aimed at fast-tracking permanent residency for tradespeople with local work experience, was suspended on November 14 following a Labour Ministry review that found widespread misrepresentation in job offers and experience verification. This builds on a 2024 Auditor-General report highlighting oversight gaps, with the province now refunding fees and directing applicants to other streams amid no reopening timeline. Protests by over 100 workers, including carpenters and telecom technicians, have erupted, while reactions split between support for cracking down on fraud and calls for case-by-case assessments amid ongoing trades shortages.
