Ontario is set to double the number of immigrants it welcomes to the province under an agreement with the federal government to enhance Ontario's immigration program.

Federal and Conservative immigration ministers announced today that the province will welcome more than 18,000 people under the program in 2025.

Ontario's Minister of Labour and Immigration Mont McNaughton called for the doubling in 2021 when the province was allowed to bring in 9,000 immigrants under this program.

The new agreement will also see Ontario’s intake increase from 9,750 immigrants under the program in 2022 to 16,500 immigrants in 2023, over 17,000 immigrants in 2024, and more than 18,000 immigrants in 2025.

The Ford government said the people brought in through last year's allocation included 3,900 skilled trades workers, 2,200 software and IT workers, 1,000 truck drivers, and more than 100 nurses and personal support workers.

McNaughton said the number of healthcare workers, in particular, will change dramatically.

He added in an interview: "It’s no secret that we’re facing a historic labour shortage. Moving forward, I will prioritize healthcare workers and skilled workers and we will really work to employ them in Ontario to fill the labour gap."

McNaughton also said Ontario has already put measures in place to prepare for the expected influx under this program, including removing Canadian work experience requirements, giving newcomers more access to training programs, and processing applications on average within 90 days.

Federal Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said this year’s annual immigration levels plan was "the most ambitious" in Canada’s history.

He also added in a statement, "The need to attract talent to meet short-term labour market demands and draw talent to position Canada for long-term success was a top priority."