Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, wishes to inform constituents that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, a five-year pilot program aimed at attracting and retaining skilled immigrants in Canada’s rural and northern communities experiencing labour gaps.

As many newcomers to Canada tend to settle in big cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, the pilot program will encourage skilled workers and their families to put down roots in communities that need them most – northern rural areas. The aim of this pilot is to address the diverse labour market needs of small communities.

Immigrants will be chosen for the pilot based on matching their skills to the local needs of their communities and could come from professions such as truck drivers to teachers to lab technicians.

Interested communities must work with a local economic development organization to submit an application, demonstrating how they meet the eligibility criteria and how immigration will promote economic development in their community.

Communities have until March 1st to apply. Those selected can begin picking candidates for permanent residence this summer.

“I encourage communities in the Yellowhead, especially in areas that have labour gaps, to submit an application to be part of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot,” concluded MP Eglinski.

For information on how to meet the eligibility criteria, please see: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/ services/immigrate-canada/ruralnorthern-immigration-piloteligibility.html