Ontario could set targets for attracting more skilled immigrants and have more of a say in who comes to the province under legislation proposed Wednesday by the minority Liberal government.

Immigration and Citizenship Minister Michael Coteau said the changes would help Ontario lure experts in fields like information technology, where there are shortages, and run a larger program than the one that now brings 100,000 new residents annually.

Ontario’s portion of skilled immigrants coming to Canada has fallen to 45 per cent from 65 per cent in the 1960s, Coteau told reporters.

“We want a really fair relationship with the federal government to ensure that Ontario can have a little bit more control of its destiny when moving forward with immigration.”

The province has long complained it does not get enough say in immigrant selection at a time when new Canadians have seen their incomes decline and unemployment rates rise.

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Ontario wants almost four times more economic immigrants — for a total of 5,000, up from 1,300 now — under the provincial nominee program in which employers can fill skilled positions when suitable workers can’t be found in Canada.

This new legislation, which follows a 2012 report, heralds an attempt to pursue an immigration strategy similar to Quebec’s in picking and choosing its own immigrants cleared by Ottawa on security and medical grounds.

“We need to do the kind of job Quebec has done for 41 years,” said NDP immigration critic Michael Prue (Beaches—East York).

There are some “good things” in the bill but boosting the Ontario economy would do wonders for attracting immigrants and lifting their prospects, said Progressive Conservative MPP Todd Smith (Prince Edward—Hastings).

“We’ve seen skilled immigrants choosing other jurisdictions and other provinces in North America because there are opportunities.”

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