Maple News reports that the City of North Bay, Ontario, is preparing to officially launch its participation in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) in the coming weeks, becoming the tenth Canadian community to join the national program. This move is expected to enhance the city’s workforce and support local employers struggling with labour shortages.
The RNIP is a federal immigration initiative aimed at helping smaller, remote communities access the benefits of economic immigration. Tailored for skilled foreign workers interested in settling outside major urban centres, the program offers a direct pathway to permanent residency in Canada through community endorsement and a valid job offer.
North Bay, located approximately 300 kilometers north of Toronto, has been selected for its regional attributes, including a manageable population size, available employment opportunities, and a strong capacity to help newcomers integrate successfully. To participate, prospective immigrants will require a full-time, permanent job offer from a local employer and must secure a recommendation from the community.
Each participating RNIP location has been allocated a specific number of recommendations. North Bay will have 100 referral slots available during its first year in the program.
Once the city’s RNIP website goes live, candidates will be able to apply directly through the platform, and employers will be able to post job openings targeting foreign workers. The program is also community-driven, meaning local leadership plays a vital role in promoting the region to prospective immigrants and ensuring successful integration of newcomers.
Patti Carr, Vice-President of Policy and Communications at the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating that bilingual applicants and those who actively engage in the community are likely to stand out. “We hope newcomers who are involved in the community will be more likely to remain in North Bay after gaining permanent residency, rather than relocating to larger cities,” she told Maple News.
This approach not only helps address chronic labour shortages in more remote areas but also fosters long-term settlement and regional economic development. As Canada’s immigration goals continue to evolve, the RNIP provides an innovative solution for balancing demographic and economic needs outside major metropolitan zones.