Today, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announces new immigration pilots designed to support rural and Francophone minority communities in Canada.
The announcement took place on March 6 at 12 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Telecom HQ located at 505 Frood Road in Sudbury, Ontario.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller is also joined by Marc G. Serré, who’s a Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Ontario, and Viviane Lapointe, a Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Ontario.
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Watch the live announcement here👇
Immigration Minister Marc Miller begins by saying how important the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is and how well it’s working.
The minister points out that by the end of January, 5,158 new people became permanent residents through this program. About 87% of those who were surveyed and responded are still living in these communities.
The minister has confirmed that by the fall of 2024, the IRCC will make the RNIP a permanent program. However, it will take a few months to complete this process. The IRCC also plans to add more communities to the program.
Starting in the fall of 2024, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot aims to ensure that programs helping with labor shortages and supporting local businesses in rural areas continue to be available. This program will provide opportunities for newcomers who want to settle in these small communities permanently and contribute to addressing urgent labor needs.
Additionally, in the fall of 2024, we are launching the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot as part of our Francophone Immigration Policy, following the success of the RNIP. This pilot will not only support the economic development of Francophone minority towns but also increase the number of French-speaking immigrants settling in these areas outside of Quebec.
For communities interested in participating in the immigration pilots, the IRCC will initiate the community application process this spring. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
The IRCC is working to make the RNIP a permanent program. These new immigration pilots aim to bring in and keep talented foreign workers in rural and Francophone minority communities. This will help boost their economy and language strength.
The IRCC is excited about working closely with these communities to improve our immigration programs together.
“Rural and northern communities face unique economic and demographic challenges. However, through the RNIP, rural communities have been able to attract and retain skilled workers that they’ve needed for years to ensure their economic growth. That is why we will make RNIP a permanent program, and why we are introducing these two new pilot programs. We’ll continue to work closely with these communities, as we work to connect businesses with the skilled workers they need to thrive.”
Immigration Minister Marc Miller
Focus of New Immigration Pilots
The focus of these immigration pilots is to address the unique needs and opportunities present in both rural and Francophone communities across the country. The government wants to make it easier for people in these areas to come and live in Canada.
The goal is to help rural communities grow and support Francophone communities all over Canada. By creating special immigration pilots or paths, the government aims to enhance economic development, cultural vibrancy, and community resilience. This is all part of a plan to make immigration more inclusive and diverse.
What are Canada’s immigration pilots?
Canada’s immigration pilots are temporary programs that can lead to permanent residency. They are designed for people with certain skills or qualifications.
The idea behind these pilots is to try them out for a few years and then decide whether to keep them as permanent immigration programs or stop them, depending on how well they work.
