Category Archives: Update

Canada launches new immigration pilots to benefit rural and Francophone minority communities, creating a permanent program.

Rural and Francophone minority communities are critical to Canada’s long-term growth, and regional immigration plays a key role in strengthening their economies. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has been successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.

That is why today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced new pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues work toward creating a permanent rural immigration program. These are the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot will launch in the fall of 2024. It aims to ensure that rural communities continue to have the ability to access programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need. It will provide pathways to permanent residence for newcomers who can help to overcome critical labour job shortages and want to live long term in these smaller communities.

Modelled on the success of the RNIP and as part of our Francophone Immigration Policy, we are also launching the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot in the fall of 2024. The pilot will focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec and will help ensure the economic development of Francophone minority communities, while also helping to restore and increase their demographic weight.

IRCC will open the community application process this spring to select communities who will participate in the pilots and will share more details in the coming months.

As we work to establish RNIP as a permanent program, these new pilots will help attract and retain skilled foreign workers in rural and Francophone minority communities, contributing to their economic and linguistic vitality. IRCC looks forward to continued collaboration with these communities as we work together to strengthen our immigration programs.

Canada launched 2 new pilot pathways and made RNIP permanent.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated on Wednesday that Ottawa will make the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) a permanent immigration programme this autumn, as well as launch two new pilot pathways to help rural towns recruit more immigrants, particularly francophones.

"I am here to confirm that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will make the RNIP permanent," Miller stated in Sudbury on March 6.

The new permanent programme, known as the Rural Immigration Programme (RIP), will be implemented this autumn with the new experimental programmes.

The two new pilot programmes will be the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).

The new pilot programme will attempt to ensure that rural communities continue to have access to programmes that address workforce shortages and assist local businesses in finding the personnel they require. It will give avenues to permanent residence for newcomers who can contribute to the resolution of acute labour shortages and wish to dwell in these tiny towns for the long term.

Canada PR Pathway for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan Nationals.

Guidelines for processing applications under the Canada PR (permanent residence) pathway for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals are now available.
To expand regular pathways as an alternative to irregular migration, this new temporary public policy will facilitate granting permanent residence to certain Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals who have family in Canada who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement: click to learn more.

Canada continues to create new opportunities for Canadian youth to explore other cultures and build lasting connections abroad.
Today, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the Canada–Finland Youth Mobility Agreement, signed on May 19, 2023, is now in effect.
This agreement will allow Canadians and Finns aged 18 to 35 to work and travel in each other’s country through the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program or the Finnish equivalent.
As Canada and Finland celebrate 77 years of formal diplomatic relations this year, this agreement will provide a new basis to further strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries. IEC program participants will have the chance to get immersed in new cultures and experiences while developing life skills, improving future job prospects and deepening social ties.
This is also a unique cultural exchange opportunity for Indigenous youth in Canada, who may be interested in the heritage and traditional knowledge of the Sámi people. By investing in the potential of their youth, both Canada and Finland are paving the way for a stronger, more interconnected global community.

New Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades stream: skilled trades occupations invited

Ontario issued draw for Express Entry Skilled Trades stream. Candidates only received a notification if they had a (CRS) score of 350-424 and work experience in the following national occupational classification (NOC) codes. Your work experience in one of the following NOCs must be listed as your primary NOC in your Express Entry profile:

NOC 72010 - Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
NOC 72011 - Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
NOC 72012 - Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
NOC 72013 - Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
NOC 72020 - Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
NOC 72021 - Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
NOC 72022 - Supervisors, printing and related occupations
NOC 72100 - Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
NOC 72101 - Tool and die makers
NOC 72102 - Sheet metal workers
NOC 72103 - Boilermakers
NOC 72104 - Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
NOC 72105 Ironworkers
NOC 72106 - Welders and related machine operators
NOC 72200 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)
NOC 72201 - Industrial electricians
NOC 72203 - Electrical power line and cable workers
NOC 72204 - Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
NOC 72205 - Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
NOC 72300 - Plumbers
NOC 72301 - Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
NOC 72302 - Gas fitters
NOC 72310 - Carpenters
NOC 72311 - Cabinetmakers
NOC 72320 - Bricklayers
NOC 72321 - Insulators
NOC 72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
NOC 72402 - Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
NOC 72403 - Railway carmen/women
NOC 72404 - Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
NOC 72406 - Elevator constructors and mechanics
NOC 72410 - Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
NOC 72422 - Electrical mechanics
NOC 72423 - Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
NOC 72500 - Crane operators
NOC 73100 - Concrete finishers
NOC 73101 - Tilesetters
NOC 73102 - Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
NOC 73110 - Roofers and shinglers
NOC 73111 - Glaziers
NOC 73113 - Floor covering installers
NOC 73200 - Residential and commercial installers and servicers
NOC 73201 - General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
NOC 73202 - Pest controllers and fumigators
NOC 73209 - Other repairers and servicers
NOC 73400 - Heavy equipment operators
NOC 73402 - Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
NOC 82031 - Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services