Canada Launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots

The Government of Canada has introduced two new immigration pilots: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). These pilots aim to help rural and Francophone minority communities attract and retain skilled workers who can fill key jobs and settle long-term in these areas.

Participating Communities

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Communities:

• Pictou County, NS
• North Bay, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Thunder Bay, ON
• Steinbach, MB
• Altona/Rhineland, MB
• Brandon, MB
• Moose Jaw, SK
• Claresholm, AB
• West Kootenay, BC
• North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
• Peace Liard, BC

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) Communities:

• Acadian Peninsula, NB
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Superior East Region, ON
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB
• Kelowna, BC

Employer Requirements

Employers in participating communities must complete the following steps to hire skilled workers through these pilots:

1. Take the required training.
2. Apply to the local community for designation as an approved employer.
3. Once designated, hire qualified international candidates who cannot be sourced locally. These candidates may be overseas or in Canada as temporary residents.

Skilled Worker Eligibility

Skilled workers can apply for permanent residence through these pilots if they:

• Have a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.
• Are living abroad or are in Canada as a temporary resident.
• Do not need prior skilled work experience if they have recently graduated from a public post-secondary institution in the community.

Work Permits While Waiting for PR Processing

Applicants will be eligible for a work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed if they:

• Have a job offer from a designated employer.
• Obtain a referral letter from a participating community.