Following the model of programs in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, the province of Ontario has reached an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to ease entry for foreign workers in high demand professions.

Under the announced changes, the department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (ESDC), in partnership with CIC and the Ontario government have created lists of occupations deemed "under pressure" in Ontario. Companies seeking to hire a foreign worker from one of these high priority professions will face reduced bureaucratic demands, particularly in the domestic advertising requirements for the job. "The creation of a list for Ontario will make it easier and two-to-four weeks faster for employers to hire temporary foreign workers," said the federal Minister of Human Resources the Honourable Diane Finley, as she announced the changes at a press conference on December 8th.

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle welcomed the announcement, saying "over 50,000 temporary foreign workers come to Ontario every year and those 50,000 are a critical part of making this province work to its fullest capacity". While the reduced burden in the application process is identical to the program announced in November for Alberta and B.C., the list for Ontario is unique, focusing on the specific labour market demands in the Ontario economy.