Program changes to fill labour market needs in rural areas by expanding geographic boundaries of communities.
The expansion includes measures such as:
- 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
- reducing the amount of settlement funds participants are required to have.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also acknowledged an emphasis on encouraging Francophone immigrants to rural Canadian communities, outside of Quebec. It is promising to ensure a smooth settlement process for French-speaking immigrants and to take measures to increase the numbers of francophones as well as to endeavour to retain them.
Participating communities
There are 11 Canadian communities that participate in the RNIP throughout Northern Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba.
- North Bay, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Altona /Rhineland, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm , Alberta
- Vernon, British Columbia
- West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia
Each community has the capacity to invite up to 125 candidates each year, or a program total capacity of 2,750. As of June 30, IRCC reports that 1,130 newcomers have arrived in Canada under the RNIP. They have helped fill gaps in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing and transportation, retail, and hospitality which all require job offer.
