Maple News reports that the Peace Liard region in northeastern British Columbia has officially announced its priority sectors and in-demand occupations for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a key Canadian immigration initiative aimed at connecting foreign talent with local labour market needs in rural areas.
The Peace Liard RCIP region covers several communities, including Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Taylor, Pouce Coupe, Hudson’s Hope, and Fort Nelson. It also encompasses surrounding rural areas within the Peace River Regional District and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is an employer-driven pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Foreign workers must secure job offers from employers designated by participating communities and meet additional criteria to qualify. The federal government assesses applications, but a local community recommendation is required.
Each year, participating communities are required to designate five key sectors and 25 occupations by their National Occupation Codes (NOCs) to align local economic needs with immigration selection. Only job offers within these priority areas are eligible for submission under RCIP.
Peace Liard has selected the following five priority sectors: Natural Resources and Agriculture; Natural and Applied Sciences; Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services; Sales and Service; and Trades and Transport. These sectors reflect key industries sustaining the regional economy.
The 25 priority occupations include roles such as Heavy Equipment Operators (NOC 73400), Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (42202), Cooks (63200), Administrative Officers (13100), and Restaurant and Food Service Managers (60030). Other critical positions span IT, hospitality, construction, and social services — demonstrating broad labour shortages across multiple fields.
To be eligible under the RCIP in Peace Liard, foreign nationals must receive a full-time, permanent job offer from a designated employer within one of these occupations. Candidates must also satisfy federal requirements, including education, work experience, and language proficiency thresholds.
Peace Liard’s participation in the RCIP builds on Canada’s growing push to attract and retain skilled newcomers in rural and remote regions where demographic and workforce challenges persist. By linking immigration with targeted labour needs, communities like Peace Liard aim to support both population growth and economic resilience.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates to the RCIP and employer designations across Canada’s rural communities. Interested applicants are encouraged to review eligibility guidelines closely as new regions roll out local pathways under this federal immigration initiative.