Protests by Punjab-origin workers in Ontario have entered a tense phase after the province cancelled thousands of applications filed under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), leaving many young migrants uncertain about their future in Canada.
According to protesters, nearly 2,600 skilled-worker applications were recently returned without processing. Many of the applicants are from Punjab and had spent months preparing documents, paying fees, and completing work requirements in the hope of securing permanent residency.
The demonstrations began earlier this week outside the Ontario Legislature, where large groups of youth gathered holding placards and banners, demanding that the government reverse the cancellations. Many travelled from different parts of the province to join the gathering, calling the decision “unfair” and “devastating.”
Workers who took part in the protest said they had applied under the OINP’s skilled trades and worker streams, which are popular among international students and work-permit holders in sectors such as trucking, warehouse operations, construction and manufacturing.
They said their applications were returned without a clear explanation, leaving them with no pathway to permanent residency despite years of work in Canada.
Several protesters alleged that the province changed its assessment rules abruptly and did not give applicants an opportunity to submit additional documents or clarify concerns. Some said they had taken loans, worked long hours, and fulfilled all eligibility conditions, only to see their files cancelled overnight.
Those demonstrating outside the Legislature said they will continue their protest until the government agrees to review the rejected applications. They also appealed to Ontario’s elected representatives to intervene and raise the matter in the provincial assembly.
The affected workers pointed out that many international students and new migrants already face rising living costs, high tuition fees, and limited job stability. Losing a permanent residency pathway, they said, has added to their financial and emotional stress.
Although the Ontario government has not made a direct statement to the protestors yet, officials have previously indicated that OINP is under pressure due to limited nomination caps for 2025 and a surge in applications.
Sources said that internal reviews and stricter verification processes introduced this year have also resulted in the program returning a higher number of applications across various streams.
Meanwhile, the demonstrations are continuing, with protestors saying they are prepared to stay on the streets until the province reconsiders its decision.
