Rural Community Immigration Pilot Occupations List

Earlier this year, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, launched the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), building on the success of the, now closed, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program that launched in 2019.

The RCIP is designed to address the needs of smaller, rural communities by attracting skilled immigrants who are willing to settle outside major Canadian urban areas. This program aims to further develop and grow local economies in regions that struggle with population retention and experience labour shortages.

What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?

The goal of the RCIP is to make it easier for skilled workers to secure permanent residency by offering them a pathway to settle in regions that may otherwise struggle to compete with larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver.

Through the RCIP, skilled workers are given the opportunity to settle in regions that might not typically be first choice destinations for immigrants, but those which need their expertise to fill critical roles. As a result, immigrants willing to settle in these communities not only benefit from a strong chance at securing Canadian permanent residency, but they also contribute to the long-term local development of these regions.

RCIP Eligible Regions

As indicated on the IRCC website, the RCIP program includes 14 Canadian communities, each of which is looking to retain skilled workers in specific sectors. These communities are:

1. Altona/Rhineland, MB
2. Brandon, MB
3. Claresholm, AB
4. Moose Jaw, SK
5. North Bay, ON
6. North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
7. Peace Liard, BC
8. Pictou County, NS
9. Sault Ste. Marie, ON
10. Steinbach, MB
11. Sudbury, ON
12. Thunder Bay, ON
13. Timmins, ON
14. West Kootenay, BC

Key Sectors and Occupations

From the regions listed above, Canadian cities Sault Ste.Marie, ON (SSM) and Brandon, MB have announced key sectors they will be accepting applicants from. According to the city of SSM website, they are prioritizing individuals through the RCIP in the following sectors:

1. Education, Law, and Social Services
2. Health
3. Manufacturing and Utilities
4. Sales and Service
5. Trade and Transport

The Economic Development Brandon website has provided an extensive list of eligible occupations under the targeted sectors provided:

1. Education, Law, and Social Services
2. Health Sector
3. Manufacturing and Utilities
4. Natural and Applied Sciences
5. Trade and Transport

For a complete list of eligible occupations in the sectors listed above, applicants are encouraged to visit the Economic Development Brandon website.

Why Rural Communities Need Immigrants

One of the key initiatives behind the new RCIP program is to support rural areas that often face challenges in retaining and attracting skilled workers. Many immigrants initially gravitate toward larger cities, where opportunities seem more attainable and abundant, however, given the current job market in heavily populated metropolitan areas, this is not the case at all. The RCIP provides an alternative for skilled workers, with a higher likelihood of finding employment in these smaller communities.

Applicants who have the relevant experience and education necessary in the targeted sectors have a significantly higher chance of securing a job, specifically in the eligible RCIP communities listed above.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is beneficial for both immigrants and Canada’s rural communities. Immigrants get a chance to secure Canadian permanent residency, while rural communities benefit from a skilled workforce fostering growth.

If you’re interested in applying to the RCIP, contact us today to assess your eligibility and start your application process before spots fill up.