RNIP Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

Timmins, Ontario – August 26, 2022 – Today, IRCC Minister Sean Fraser announced new improvements to Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). The minister announced below mentioned 6 new positive changes to RNIP effective fall 2022 (September 2022).

increasing the geographic boundaries of 7 out of 11 participating communities, so that more employers can benefit from it.
1. North Bay (Ontario)
2. Sudbury (Ontario)
3. Timmins (Ontario)
4. Thunder Bay (Ontario)
5. Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan)
6. West Kootenay (British Columbia)
7. Vernon (British Columbia) Click here for RNIP community boundaries

increasing the pool of job offers available to individuals with relevant work experience to help in addressing the labour market gaps in the trades and health care industries
allowing communities to participate until the end of pilot i.e., until August 2024
lowering the minimum amount of settlement funds that participants must possess
assisting community partners in better supporting employers and applicants
strengthening program integrity

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RNIP Important Facts

Over 4 million Canadians work in rural areas, which provide over 30% of the country’s GDP. They support the businesses that support Canada’s thriving economy by supplying food, water, and electricity to metropolitan centres.
North Bay (Ontario), Sudbury (Ontario), Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario), Thunder Bay (Ontario), Brandon (Manitoba), Altona/Rhineland (Manitoba), Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan), Claresholm (Alberta), West Kootenay (BC), and Vernon (BC) are the 11 RNIP communities.
1,130 immigrants have entered RNIP communities as of June 30, 2022, assisting with labour shortages in critical industries including healthcare, hospitality and food services, retail, manufacturing, and transportation.
According to estimates, each of the participating villages could annually welcome 125 immigrants and their families.
In any given year, RNIP applications for processing can only be received from a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, including family members.

“Rural and northern communities face unique economic and demographic challenges, and the expansion of RNIP announced today makes it that much easier for communities to fill their critical labour market needs. They also expand community boundaries so that employers in remote areas can access the program, helping to support economic development and growth in smaller communities across the country.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship