Canada to make Rural Community Immigration Pilot permanent

The Canadian federal government has announced that the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) will transition into a permanent program effective January 1, 2027. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the decision in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, noting that the initiative aims to help smaller communities address persistent labour shortages by connecting skilled foreign workers with local employers.

Initially, the permanent program will include the 14 communities currently participating in the pilot, such as North Bay, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Moose Jaw. The government intends to expand the program to additional communities in the future. To qualify, foreign nationals must hold a job offer from an employer designated by a local economic development organization and meet specific requirements, including official language proficiency.

Under the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, the government has set a target of 5,500 permanent resident admissions through the RCIP for 2027. Admissions are projected to increase to 6,000 in 2028 and 6,500 in 2029.