The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is set to launch in the fall of 2024, aiming to ensure that rural areas can access programs addressing labor shortages. Its goal is to assist local businesses in finding the workers they need, offering pathways to permanent residence for newcomers willing to contribute to overcoming crucial job shortages and commit to long-term residency in smaller communities.

1. Canadian Immigration Trailblazers:
Pioneering Community-Focused
Initiatives
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is set to launch in the fall of 2024, aiming to ensure that rural
areas can access programs addressing labor shortages. Its goal is to assist local businesses in finding the
workers they need, offering pathways to permanent residence for newcomers willing to contribute to
overcoming crucial job shortages and commit to long-term residency in smaller communities.
Inspired by the success of the RNIP and aligned with the Francophone Immigration Policy, the
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot will also debut in the fall of 2024. This pilot focuses on
increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities
outside of Quebec. Its mission is to support the economic development of these communities and
bolster their demographic presence.
IRCC's Spring Community Application Process
In the upcoming spring, IRCC will initiate the community application process to select participants for
these pilots, with more details to be shared in the following months.
As efforts are made to establish the RNIP as a permanent program, these new pilots will play a crucial
role in attracting and retaining skilled foreign workers in rural and Francophone minority communities.
This, in turn, will contribute to the economic and linguistic vitality of these regions. IRCC is eager to
continue collaborating with these communities, strengthening Canadian immigration programs
collectively.
New Canadian Immigration Pilots Target Rural and Francophone
Communities
The Canadian Rural Community Immigration Pilot is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2024, with a focus
on addressing labor shortages in rural areas. The aim is to ensure that Canadian rural communities can
access specialized programs, assisting local businesses in finding the skilled workers they need. This
initiative offers pathways to permanent residence for newcomers committed to alleviating critical job
shortages and establishing long-term residency in smaller Canadian communities.
Building on the success of the RNIP and in alignment with the Francophone Immigration Policy, the
Canadian Francophone Community Immigration Pilot will also debut in the fall of 2024. This pilot seeks
to increase the presence of French-speaking newcomers in Francophone minority communities outside
of Quebec, contributing to their economic development and demographic strength.

2. In the upcoming spring, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will kickstart the
community application process to select participants for these Canadian immigration pilots, with more
comprehensive details to be shared in the following months.
As efforts progress to solidify the RNIP as a permanent program, these new Canadian immigration pilots
will play a vital role in attracting and retaining skilled foreign workers in Canadian rural and Francophone
minority communities. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to the economic and linguistic vitality of
these regions. IRCC looks forward to sustained collaboration with these communities, collectively
working to enhance and strengthen Canadian immigration programs.
Empowering Small Communities through Immigration Initiatives
"Small towns and the far north have unique challenges in finding enough skilled workers and growing
their communities. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has helped these areas bring in and
keep skilled workers, helping them grow. That's why we want to make the RNIP a permanent program
and are starting two new pilot programs. We'll keep working closely with these communities, making
sure businesses can find the skilled workers they need to do well."
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
"Businesses in our region, covering different types of work, really need more skilled workers because
there aren't enough. We've been working hard with the government on the RNIP program, and now,
with the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, we're
making it even better. This will give businesses more chances to hire the right people and help our local
economy while serving people in both official languages."
– Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources, and the Minister of Official Languages
"We've personally seen how much the RNIP has helped Sudbury. It's been great for bringing in skilled
workers and growing our population. This program not only solves problems like not having enough
workers but also helps our communities become more prosperous, making a big difference for a long
time."
– Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury
Overview of Canada's Regional Immigration Initiatives
 Permanent Residency Numbers: By December 31, 2023, the RNIP granted permanent residence
to 4,595 newcomers. This has been particularly beneficial in addressing labor shortages in
critical sectors like healthcare, accommodation and food services, retail, manufacturing, and
scientific and technical services.
 Extension of Recommendation Deadline: On February 21, 2024, the IRCC extended the deadline
for existing RNIP communities to recommend candidates for permanent residence until July 31,
2024. Additionally, the number of candidates that communities can recommend has been

3. increased. These changes aim to allow participating communities to be part of the pilot for a
more extended period, enabling them to continue addressing their labor needs with skilled
candidates.
 Vision for Immigration System: On October 31, 2023, the IRCC released a report titled "An
Immigration System for Canada’s Future," outlining a pathway to strengthen the immigration
system to better serve the country and newcomers. As part of implementing the report's
actions, the IRCC is actively exploring opportunities to enhance regional immigration, including
through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
 Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Aligned with the Policy on Francophone
Immigration’s 2024–2028 Implementation Plan, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
fulfills IRCC’s commitment to include new Francophone communities in regional economic
immigration programs. This approach involves employers and communities in selecting
newcomers for their areas. The pilot also contributes to achieving the Government of Canada’s
ambitious targets for French-speaking immigrants, as outlined in the 2024–2026 Immigration
Levels Plan.