Yes the fee is non-refundable. But below are the points to consider :
1) Toronto and Ottawa are in Ontario. Toronto is home to more than 11,000 hi-tech firms (Google Greater Toronto Area - GTA). It is also the heart of all financial institutions in Canada.
2) Ontario does not refuse a person arbitrarily. Since they charge a processing fee, they scrutinize applications with great care. Unless you you commit a blunder (like choose a irrelevant NOC, write a very lame settlement plan etc), the chances are rejection are relatively less to other provinces like Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia.
3) Considering you do things correctly, this 1500 CAD is an investment, not an expenditure.
4) Almost 45 - 50% of the immigrants immigrate to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. And guess where Toronto is! Yea! In Ontario.
5) There are hell a lot of jobs out there in Ontario. Even if you do not get a job in your field immediately, you will get an opportunity to take some time and start gaining "Canadian Work Experience" that almost all Canadian Employers crave for.
6) Niagara falls is near by
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So, I guess the above mentioned reasons would give you some time to think and decide carefully!
All the very best.. Keep us posted!