published on 2 September 2022 @ 1:32 pm · COMMENT

Expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

On August 26, 2022, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced pending changes to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP), to expand on the existing pilot program. The following will be implemented effective fall of 2022:

• Expanding the geographic boundaries of the following participating communities, so more employers are able to participate: North Bay (Ont.), Sudbury (Ont.), Timmins (Ont.), Thunder Bay (Ont.), Moose Jaw (Sask.), West Kootenay (BC) and Vernon (BC)

• Making it easier to fill labour market needs in the health care and trades sectors, by expanding the range of job offers available to candidates, with specific work experience
• Allowing communities to participate for a longer period, until August 2024, when the pilot comes to an end
• Helping community partners provide greater support to candidates and employers
• Reducing the amount of settlement funds participants are required to have
• Strengthening program integrity

 

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program is intended to address labour shortages in rural and northern communities. To qualify, an applicant must have a job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities and obtain an endorsement from that community. If endorsed by the community, the applicant can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence. The following communities are currently authorized to participate in the pilot program:

• North Bay, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Thunder Bay, ON
• Brandon, MB
• Altona/Rhineland, MB
• Moose Jaw, SK
• Claresholm, AB
• Vernon, BC
• West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE