Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) has released its first lists of priority industries and eligible job titles for two new regions: North Okanagan-Shuswap in British Columbia and Thunder Bay in Ontario. Launched on January 30, 2025, the five-year, employer-driven program aims to attract skilled newcomers to rural communities facing labour shortages and offer a direct path to permanent residency.
North Okanagan-Shuswap: Five Key Sectors and 25 Occupations
North Okanagan-Shuswap has identified these five priority industries:
- Health
- Education, Law, Social, Community & Government Services
- Sales & Service
- Trades & Transport
- Manufacturing & Utilities
Within those sectors, 25 specific roles are now eligible—from accounting clerks and appliance repairers to nurses, welders and heavy-equipment operators. Hourly wages for these positions generally range between $22 and $25, and most employers will be capped on how many recommendations they can submit for a single occupation, ensuring balanced recruitment across local businesses.
2025 Intake Windows
To manage applications efficiently, North Okanagan-Shuswap will hold five application periods this year:
- May 12–26
- July 7–21
- August 25–September 8
- October 13–27
- November 24–December 8
Thunder Bay: Tailored Priority Groups and Roles
Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission has outlined five broad professional groups for RCIP recruitment:
- Business & Finance Administration
- Healthcare
- Education, Law, Social, Community & Government Services
- Sales & Service
- Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators
Within these categories, over 20 occupations are eligible—such as administrative assistants, financial advisors, registered nurses, early childhood educators, cooks, retail supervisors, automotive technicians and construction helpers. Draws will take place roughly every two months, with fixed quotas for each sector to reflect local labour needs.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants must secure a full-time, permanent job offer from a designated employer in one of the priority sectors, meet federal criteria (including language and work-experience requirements), and submit their application during the region’s intake window. Community endorsement then paves the way for a federal permanent-residency application.
With clear sector targets, intake schedules and occupation lists in place, both North Okanagan-Shuswap and Thunder Bay are set to welcome skilled workers eager to contribute to vibrant rural economies.
