Canada Launches New Immigration Pilot Programs for 2025
Announcement Date: January 30, 2025 Objective: To help rural and Francophone communities attract and retain skilled workers.
2 New Pilot Programs:
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): This program addresses labor shortages in rural areas by supporting local businesses in finding suitable employees.
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP): This pilot program will increase the number of French-speaking immigrants settling outside of Quebec, fostering economic development and increasing the demographic weight of Francophone communities.
How it Works:
A local economic development organization will represent each participating community. These organizations will work with IRCC to:
- Identify critical labor shortage positions.
- Designate trustworthy employers.
- Recommend suitable candidates to IRCC for permanent residence.
IRCC has begun training the economic development organizations. Each community will announce details and timelines regarding when employers and prospective permanent residence candidates can apply.
Participating Communities:
RCIP: 13 communities across Canada, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
- Pictou County, NS
- North Bay, ON
- Sudbury, ON
- Timmins, ON
- Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- Thunder Bay, ON
- Steinbach, MB
- Altona/Rhineland, MB
- Brandon, MB
- Moose Jaw, SK
- Claresholm, AB
- West Kootenay, BC
- North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
- Peace Liard, BC
FCIP: 6 communities, including areas in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Note that Sudbury and Timmins, ON are participating in both programs.
- Acadian Peninsula, NB
- Sudbury, ON
- Timmins, ON
- Superior East Region, ON
- St. Pierre Jolys, MB
- Kelowna, BC
