Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, has officially launched its participation in Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), becoming the 14th and final community to implement the initiative aimed at addressing labor shortages in rural areas. According to Maple News, the RCIP provides a pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers who receive job offers in designated occupations from approved employers in participating regions.
The RCIP is an employer-driven immigration program designed to tackle workforce needs by linking international talent with opportunities in smaller Canadian communities. Eligibility requires a job offer from a designated employer, employment in a qualifying occupation, residence in a participating community, and a community recommendation from the local economic development organization.
In Moose Jaw, the local Chamber of Commerce has identified five priority sectors for the RCIP: business, finance and administration; sales and service; trades and transport; manufacturing and utilities; and education, law, and social, community and government services. However, the community has imposed certain restrictions. Gas stations (excluding truck stops), convenience stores, IT/web development firms, and food establishments with fewer than 10 full-time staff are excluded or limited in their participation.
Employers in Moose Jaw are subject to strict quotas. For example, companies with fewer than 10 full-time employees in select industries—such as financial institutions or transport companies—can only receive one community recommendation per year. Applications from occupations classified under the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 5 category are capped at 25% annually, with no employer allowed more than three such applications per intake period.
Moose Jaw also released a list of priority occupations eligible for the program. These include a wide range of in-demand roles such as accounting technicians, early childhood educators, cooks, construction workers, janitors, welders, nurse aides, retail salespersons, and heavy-duty equipment mechanics. Specific occupations are identified using the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system and span both skilled trades and essential service positions.
Maple News reports that with these measures, Moose Jaw aims to strategically attract talent that aligns with the community’s economic development goals, ensuring sustainable growth and workforce stability in the region. The city’s inclusion marks a complete roll-out of the RCIP across Canada, offering new opportunities for skilled foreign workers looking to establish themselves in smaller but economically vibrant communities.
This development reflects the federal government’s continued effort to balance immigration distribution beyond major cities and into areas where gaps in the workforce could hinder local economic development. Moose Jaw’s targeted approach helps ensure that the RCIP benefits both employers and new immigrants seeking permanent residency through meaningful, long-term employment.