Guys, it appears that Ontario is intentionally pausing and reopening applications to all streams throughout the year in order to ensure that people have a chance to apply throughout the year, rather than allowing all the available nominations to be taken early in the year. I read this on pages 35-36 of this FAQ (page 36-37 in the PDF). I think/hope it's likely they will open it back up later this year, even if we have to wait a few more months. In the meantime, we need to hope and pray for a speedy reopening.
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/prodconsum/groups/csc/@oipp/documents/document/oi_en_oinp_faq.pdf
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPQUESTIONS.html
OINP Limit on Application Intake
1) Why is the OINP implementing limit on application intake?
The popularity of the OINP continues to grow. By May 2016, Ontario had received a sufficient number of program applications to fulfill its 2016 allocation. In January 2016 alone, the program received over 1,800 applications. To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP will be monitoring the volume of applications to its Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and International Masters and PhD student streams. These streams will be paused and reopened periodically throughout the year until the province’s 2017 federal allocation is fulfilled. Stakeholders will be informed when streams are temporarily paused and reopened again via the OINP Updates webpage.
2) What is your intake limit and will it apply to all streams?
The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications, and will be responsive to the demand for each of the three streams.
The OINP continues to accept online applications under the Entrepreneur Stream and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, and paper-based applications to the Corporate stream. There will be no limit to applications for these streams.
All applications will be processed in the order received.
3) How will I know if the program has reached its application intake limit?
Applicants will be notified in the e-filing system as soon as the intake limit has been met.
At the registration stage, you will receive the following automatic system notice that the program has reached its application intake limit: “Please note that the OINP has reached its registration intake limit for this stream. No new registrations will be accepted for this stream at this time. For more information please visit the OINP website”.
Once the program reaches its application intake limit, you will be unable to complete your registration and the program will not receive any registration information from you.
Individuals are encouraged to monitor the OINP website for updates on intakes to the streams.