Writing to your elected representatives is one of the most effective ways to advocate for change. Personal letters from constituents carry significant weight. The templates below are starting points — we encourage you to add your own story, your own words, and your own reasons for why this issue matters to you and your family. A letter that includes personal details is far more impactful than a form letter sent without modification.
Letters to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
The Minister responsible for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is Hon. David Piccini. You can reach his office by email at david.piccini@pc.ola.org.
Option 1 — Detailed Letter
Dear Minister Piccini,I am writing to respectfully urge you to create a dedicated stream within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for Ukrainian nationals who arrived in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.
[Add your personal story here: when you arrived, where you live, where you work, your children’s school, etc.]
Since 2022, more than 127,000 Ukrainians have settled in Ontario under CUAET. We are not tourists or temporary visitors. We are members of your communities. We pay taxes, fill labour shortages, contribute to local economies, and our children attend Ontario schools. Many of us have developed the language skills, work experience, and community ties that Ontario actively seeks in skilled immigrants.
Manitoba has already established a dedicated MPNP stream for CUAET holders. I respectfully ask Ontario to follow this precedent and create a comparable OINP stream before our temporary status expires.
Without a dedicated provincial pathway, thousands of skilled, already-integrated workers and their families will be forced to leave Canada — not because we want to, but because policy failed to keep pace with our circumstances. This would represent both a humanitarian and economic loss for Ontario.
I urge your government to act before it is too late. Please create a dedicated OINP stream for CUAET holders, modelled on Manitoba’s approach, that acknowledges our work experience and integration into Ontario life as the primary qualification criteria.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name] [Your city/town] [Your email address]
Option 2 — Short Version
Dear Minister Piccini,I am a Ukrainian newcomer living in Ontario under the CUAET program. I am writing to ask you to create a dedicated OINP stream for CUAET holders before our temporary status expires.
Over 127,000 Ukrainians live and work in Ontario. We are integrated, contributing members of your communities. Manitoba has already created a dedicated pathway for us. I urge Ontario to do the same.
Please act before thousands of skilled Ontarians are forced to leave.
Sincerely,
[Your name] [Your city/town]
Letter to Your Local MPP
Don’t know who your MPP is? Find them at ola.org/en/members/current — just enter your postal code or city.
Dear [MPP's name],I am a constituent in [your riding/city] writing to ask for your support on an urgent matter affecting thousands of Ukrainians in Ontario.
[Briefly describe your situation: when you arrived, where you live and work, your family situation.]
More than 127,000 Ukrainians came to Ontario under the federal CUAET program. Many of us have built our lives here — paying taxes, filling labour shortages, sending our children to local schools. Yet our temporary status means we face an uncertain future.
I am asking you to raise this issue in the Legislature and to urge the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to create a dedicated Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program stream for CUAET holders, similar to what Manitoba has already done.
A dedicated OINP stream would allow Ontario to retain skilled workers who are already here, already contributing, and who want to stay. This is a straightforward, practical step with no downside for Ontario.
Thank you for representing our community. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
[Your name] [Your address] [Your email address] [Your phone number (optional)]
Tips for an Effective Letter
- Personalize it. Add your own story — where you work, where your children go to school, how long you have been in Ontario. Personal details make your letter stand out.
- Be polite and specific. State exactly what you are asking for: a dedicated OINP stream for CUAET holders.
- Send it by email and follow up. Email is fast and traceable. Follow up with a phone call to the constituency office a week later.
- Ask friends and colleagues to write too. Volume matters. Encourage other CUAET holders you know to send their own letters.
- Share on social media. Tag your MPP and the Minister when you send your letter, and encourage others to do the same.
- Request a meeting. MPPs regularly meet with constituents. Ask for an in-person or virtual meeting to discuss the issue directly.