Maple News reports that the Canadian government has announced a $1 million investment aimed at strengthening immigration, tourism, and local economic development in Northern Ontario, with a particular focus on the Thunder Bay-Superior North region.
The funding was unveiled on April 7 by Members of Parliament Patty Hajdu and Marcus Powlowski, both of whom represent the Thunder Bay area. The initiative is part of Canada’s broader strategy to support regional communities by attracting skilled newcomers, enhancing economic diversification, and creating sustainable jobs for Canadians and immigrants alike.
A significant portion of the funds—approximately $490,500—will go to the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission. These resources will be used to support Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), a community-driven immigration program that helps smaller regions fill labor gaps by connecting employers with foreign talent.
Thunder Bay is one of 11 designated communities participating in the RNIP. Other participating areas include North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario; Brandon and Altona/Rhineland in Manitoba; Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan; Claresholm in Alberta; and Vernon and West Kootenay in British Columbia.
Under the RNIP, communities take the lead in recruiting and recommending candidates for permanent residence based on their local labor market needs. To qualify, applicants must meet both federal and community-specific requirements. These include having a full-time job offer in one of the participating regions, at least one year of relevant work experience or a local post-secondary credential, meeting language benchmarks, and having sufficient funds to settle.
“This investment will accelerate economic growth, improve tourism, and ensure communities like Thunder Bay benefit from a diverse and skilled workforce,” said MP Patty Hajdu. She emphasized that inclusive economic recovery remains a priority for the government.
Employers in the Thunder Bay area will also benefit from diversity training and guidance on navigating Canada’s immigration system, allowing them to more effectively connect with skilled foreign workers and meet labor demand.
By supporting programs like RNIP, the federal government aims to distribute immigration more evenly across the country and help smaller communities thrive through newcomer integration and retention.
Maple News will continue to monitor the progress of this initiative and its impacts on regional development in Northern Ontario.