Sarnia, ON — The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is excited to announce that the Sarnia-Lambton region has been selected as one of four provincial participant communities for the Rural Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot as part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This one-year pilot is administered through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and will help address critical workforce shortages. The initiative is designed to promote economic immigration in select communities outside the Greater Toronto Area. The Sarnia-Lambton region will be allocated 200 nominations through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams, to help local employers attract and retain skilled workers
This program aligns with Sarnia-Lambton’s economic needs, providing targeted support for sectors with the greatest demand for labour, including healthcare, childcare services, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and others based on local employer needs. By leveraging this opportunity, the region will recruit, retain, and connect foreign workers with meaningful employment while fostering sustainable growth and community prosperity.
For more details about the launch of the REDI pilot program and the OINP Employer Job Offer stream, please see the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s official news release, available here.
“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. “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. The program is an important addition to SLEP’s existing portfolio of workforce and employment supports and programs.”
SLEP staff will provide support for employers and local businesses to gain access to resources and tools to recruit, hire, and retain skilled talent, ensuring long-term success.
SLEP will collaborate with community partners, including Lambton College, Chamber of Commerce, Employment Ontario providers, settlement agencies, and local economic development offices to maximize the program’s impact. These partnerships will ensure that the program not only supports workforce demands but also fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers.
This initiative is expected to strengthen Sarnia-Lambton’s business community, boost economic growth, and enhance the region’s reputation as a leader in rural economic development. With the reserved spaces for OINP nominations, employers can look forward to supporting their labour needs.
Community engagement will be key to the program’s success. SLEP will be hosting a series of information sessions to inform businesses about the pilot and explore ways to get involved. Details about these future sessions will be shared on SLEP’s website and social media channels. For more information about the REDI program, visit sarnialambton.on.ca/REDI.
About the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we focus on promoting the distinct advantages Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and maintaining a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area.
For Media Inquiries:
Arianne Garcia
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
(519) 332 1820 ext 225
arianne@sarnialambton.on.ca