To counter the labour shortage in the Rural remote areas, the Government of Canada has introduced RNIP program – Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program. This program serves the following 11 communities.
North Bay (Ont.), Sudbury (Ont.), Timmins, (Ont.), Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.), Thunder Bay (Ont.), Brandon (Man.), Altona/Rhineland (Man.), Moose Jaw (Sask.), Claresholm (Alta.), West Kootenay (BC) and Vernon (BC).
The government estimates that an average of 125 immigrants and their family members could be welcomed into each of the participating communities, every year. There is a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, plus family members, whose applications can be accepted for processing under RNIP, in any given year. it is worth mentioning that the Rural communities employ over 4 million Canadians and account for almost 30% of the GDP, so there is a lot of room for immigration to these sectors.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), increasing the benefits of immigration in the 11 participating communities. A number of new improvements will be implemented this fall and will support community partners, employers and candidates by
- 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
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