Maple News reports that Manitoba’s three Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) regions have unveiled their 2026 priority sectors and occupations. To pursue permanent residence under RCIP, candidates must hold a job offer from a designated local employer in an eligible occupation.
The Manitoba regions participating in RCIP are Altona/Rhineland (the Town of Altona and surrounding Rural Municipality of Rhineland), Brandon, and Steinbach. Applicants may still be considered under RCIP if their job offer is in an occupation not on a region’s priority list, provided other eligibility criteria are met.
Altona/Rhineland’s 2026 priority sectors include: Education, law and social, community and government services; Sales and services; Trades, transport and equipment operators; Natural resources and agriculture; Manufacturing and utilities; and Health. Notably, health is a new addition in 2026; in 2025 the region highlighted the first five sectors on its list.
The region’s 2026 notice designates 25 occupations as high priority, spanning roles such as Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (82030); Cooks (63200); Early childhood educators and assistants (42202); Heavy‑duty equipment mechanics (72401); Industrial painters and related occupations (94213); Registered nurses (31301); Welders and related machine operators (72106); and several others. The specific NOC/TEER classifications determine language and wage considerations, with further guidance expected from the region.
Brandon and Steinbach also published their own 2026 priority lists, reflecting local labor market needs. For full details, applicants should consult the RCIP notices issued by each region. Maple News will monitor developments and report updates as official lists and eligibility criteria are released.