The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is urging provincial Labour Minister David Piccini to temporarily suspend the trucking industry’s access to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), warning that ongoing abuses of the program are contributing to labor exploitation, human trafficking and safety risks on Ontario highways.

The call follows the province’s recent decision to pause the Skilled Trades Immigration Stream of the OINP Express Entry program after a government review uncovered widespread compliance and enforcement issues, concluding it is vulnerable to systemic misrepresentation and fraud.

“Our sector continues to grapple with carriers who misuse immigration programs as a revenue scheme and a source of forced labor to fuel their profits,” said Stephen Laskowski, OTA president and CEO, in a news release. “This behavior is harming workers, damaging the reputation of the trucking sector, and jeopardizing highway safety. We called on the province earlier this year to temporarily suspend the OINP for our industry, and we again [are] asking the Minister to prioritize a review and pause the program to ensure future participants are placed with safe, compliant carriers.”

OTA says the OINP remains an important long-term tool for addressing driver shortages, but argues the program must be reformed before intake resumes.

“We have long championed the OINP; OTA was the first to advocate for our industry’s inclusion,” said Jonathan Blackham, director of policy and public affairs. “But significant program issues must be resolved. Now is the time to take corrective action so the OINP is protected from abuse and remains responsive to the needs of responsible, compliant businesses.”