Algoma Steel immigrant worker worried about family's future as layoffs loom

About 1,000 Algoma Steel workers face layoffs in March, and an immigrant employee who applied to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program fears losing his pathway to permanent residency if he is laid off.

Algoma Steel plans to lay off about 1,000 workers in Sault Ste. Marie in March. A 38-year-old immigrant employee who moved to Canada in 2022 says he applied to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program about 18 months ago and fears losing his pathway to permanent residency if he loses his job. He and other affected workers have asked provincial and federal officials for a special exemption to keep applications active while layoffs proceed. Officials from the OINP and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have commented on program rules and collaboration, but no exemption has been announced. Key facts: - About 1,000 Algoma Steel employees are expected to be laid off in March in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. - The employee applied to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program roughly 18 months ago and does not expect a decision until early 2027. - The OINP said changes in employment can affect an application, and IRCC said it is collaborating with Ontario on program integrity; officials have not announced an exemption for laid-off workers. - Workers and their union have asked provincial and federal governments for a special exemption to keep affected applications active. Summary: The planned layoffs raise the prospect that some immigrant workers could lose the employment connection their OINP nominations rely on, which would affect their residency process and family plans. Workers have requested exemptions and officials have said they are reviewing program integrity, but a clear resolution or timeline is undetermined at this time.