Federal government announces expansion of Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program
by CM Staff
With expanded geographic boundaries, the RNIP will support more employers in filling crucial labour market needs.
TIMMONS — On Aug. 29, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, 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
Based on the recommendations of our community partners, these changes take another step in meeting their needs and promoting growth in smaller and rural communities across the country. With expanded geographic boundaries, the RNIP will try and support more employers in filling crucial labour market needs.
Regional immigration programs, like the RNIP, are increasingly important to the sustainable growth and will try and build on the success of the new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), launched in March 2022. To date, 167 confirmed permanent program applications have been received since the launch.
“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 labour 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.” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
