On August 26, 2022, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). The Government of Canada expanded the geographic boundaries of some participating communities to encompass more employers. North Bay (ON), Sudbury (ON), Timmins (ON), Thunder Bay (ON), Moose Jaw (SK), West Kootenay (BC), and Vernon (BC) are the expanded communities.
IRCC also expanded the range of job offers available to candidates and reduced the number of settlement funds participants is required to have.
New improvements in Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Some new improvements will be implemented and will support community partners, employers, and candidates by:
- making it easier to fill labor market needs in the health care and trades sectors, by expanding the range of job offers available to candidates, with specific working experience
- allowing communities to participate for a longer period, until August 2024
- helping community partners provide greater support to candidates and employers
- reducing the number of settlement funds participants are required to have
- strengthening program integrity
With expanded geographic boundaries, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will support more employers in filling crucial labor market needs. Based on the recommendations of Canadian community partners, those changes take another step in meeting their needs and promoting growth in smaller and rural communities across the country.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship says, “Rural and northern communities face unique economic and demographic challenges, and the expansion of RNIP announced today makes it that much easier for communities to fill their critical labor market needs. They also expand community boundaries so that employers in remote areas can access the program, helping to support economic development and growth in smaller communities across the country.”
The Rural communities employ over 4 million Canadians and account for almost 30% of the GDP. They truly help to supply food, water, and energy for urban centers, sustaining the industries that contribute to Canada’s profitable economy.
Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here.
To know more details about the application process for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Tel: (416) 604-2669
Email: info@immigrationmatters.info
All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate
