June 15, 2019 – Canada’s federal government has selected 11 communities to be part of the new Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Six from Ontario, two from British Columbia, and one each from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta have signed up to take part in the immigration stream.
11 Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Communities
- Thunder Bay (ON)
- Sault Ste. Marie (ON)
- Sudbury (ON)
- Timmins (ON)
- North Bay (ON)
- Gretna-Rhineland-Altona-Plum Coulee (MB)
- Brandon (MB), Moose Jaw (SK)
- Claresholm (AB)
- West Kootenay (BC)
- Vernon (BC)
The RNIP is designed to tackle aging populations, declining birth rates and shrinking labour markets in Canada’s smaller communities
Between 2001 and 2016, the number of potential workers decreased by 23 per cent, while the number of potential retirees has increased by 40 per cent.
It is intended to bring skilled workers to these communities to help drive economic growth.
“The equation is quite simple,” said Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen.
“Attracting and retaining newcomers with the needed skills equals a recipe for success for Canada’s rural and northern communities.
“We have tested a similar immigration pilot in Atlantic Canada and it has already shown tremendous results for both newcomers and Canadians.”
What Happens Next?
- Throughout the summer, Ottawa will begin working with selected communities with the aim of identifying candidates for permanent residence in fall 2019.
- Each of the communities will be responsible for candidate recruitment and endorsement for permanent residence.
- Newcomers are expected to begin to arrive under the RNIP in 2020.
Read More
Canada Extends Deadline For Communities To Register For Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Can A Rural Pilot Program Help Boost Immigration to Rural Canada?
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: Community Requirements
Communities must:
- Have a population of 50,000 or less and be located at least 75km from the core of a Census Metropolitan Area, OR
- Have a population of up to 200,000 people and be considered remote from other larger cities, according to the Statistics Canada Remoteness Index.
- Be in:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
- Have job opportunities.
- Have an economic development plan.
- Have a local economic development organization that can manage the pilot for your community
- Help settle new immigrants in the community by having or developing:
- Relationships with local or regional immigrant-serving organizations
- Opportunities to connect newcomers with established members of the community
- Access to key services like
- Education
- Housing
- Transportation
- Health care
- Communities must also have letters of support from:
- The municipality (local leaders) AND
- A local or regional immigrant-serving organization.
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