The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program and designed to help employers hire people from outside Canada for hard-to-fill jobs. The so-called Economic Development Organizations in the 11 elected communities can recommend applicants for this pilot based on criteria, that will reflect the following considerations:
(a) whether the applicant intends to reside in the community, or within a reasonable commuting distance of the community;
(b) whether the applicant has a genuine offer of employment in an occupation or an industry sector that is in demand in the community;
(c) whether the applicant has the required skill set for that occupation;
(d) whether the applicant’s skill set is required in the community; and
(e) whether the applicant has a connection to the community.
With the recommendation the applicant can apply for permanent residency.
There are other requirements: such as work experience, education and language proficiency related to the employment being offered. See the eligiblity requirements on the IRCC website.
Details how to apply and which in demand occupations and skills sets will be awarded with a recommendation are yet to be announced.
The Economic Development Organizations that are selected are the following:
| Brandon Immigration Pilot Board | An area in Manitoba bounded by a radius of 55 km centred on latitude 49°50′35.4″ North and longitude 99°57′01.6″ West |
| Claresholm Economic Development Committee | An area in Alberta bounded by a radius of 25 km centred on latitude 50°01′12.6″ North and longitude 113°35′00.6″ West |
| Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Kootenay | In British Columbia, an area bounded by a radius of 35 km centred on latitude 49°34′13.1″ North and longitude 117°14′10.4″ West and an area bounded by a 35 km radius centred on latitude 49°06′49.3″ North and longitude 117°32′55.6″ West |
| Community Futures Development Corporation of the North Okanagan | In British Columbia, an area bounded by a radius of 40 km centred on latitude 50°15′54.6″ North and longitude 119°16′29.4″ West, excluding the census subdivision of Kelowna (City), as defined by Statistics Canada |
| Greater Sudbury Development Corporation | The census metropolitan area of Greater Sudbury in Ontario, as defined by Statistics Canada |
| Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce | The census agglomeration of Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, as defined by Statistics Canada |
| North Bay Chamber of Commerce | An area in Ontario bounded by a radius of 45 km centred on latitude 46°18′31.4″ North and longitude 79°27′45.4″ West |
| Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation | The census agglomeration of Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, as defined by Statistics Canada |
| 10018513 Manitoba Ltd. (commonly known as Supporting Entrepreneurs through Economic Development in the Rhineland, Plum Coulee, Gretna, and Altona) | An area in Manitoba bounded by the Canada-United States border, Road 18 West, Road 18 North, Meridian Road, Road 6 North, and Road 6 East |
| Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission | The census metropolitan area of Thunder Bay in Ontario, as defined by Statistics Canada |
| Timmins Economic Development Corporation | The census agglomeration of Timmins in Ontario, as defined by Statistics Canada |
