Maple News reports that Steinbach, Manitoba, has officially unveiled its targeted sectors and occupations under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a new pathway aimed at welcoming foreign workers to settle permanently in the region. As the third-largest city in Manitoba, Steinbach plays a key role in regional economic development, making this announcement a significant step forward in attracting skilled talent to its surrounding rural communities.
The RCIP is an employer-driven federal immigration initiative designed to help smaller communities attract and retain newcomers who can fill local labor market gaps. To qualify, foreign nationals must secure a job offer from a designated employer in one of the eligible communities. These communities include areas within the Rural Municipalities of Ste. Anne, Piney, and La Broquerie, as well as the urban districts of Landmark and Vita.
Under the program rules, each participating community can identify five priority sectors. Steinbach’s selections include Health; Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services; Sales and Service; Trades and Transport; and Manufacturing and Utilities. Employers operating within any of these sectors may apply to become designated employers authorized to support permanent residency applications through the pilot.
In addition to sectors, Steinbach has released a detailed list of approved occupations eligible for nomination. These span across high-demand fields such as healthcare (e.g. registered nurses, physicians, and pharmacy technicians), skilled trades (e.g. welders and heavy-duty equipment mechanics), early childhood education, business and IT (e.g. business systems specialists and database analysts), and legal services (e.g. lawyers and notaries).
Each job is linked to a unique National Occupation Classification (NOC) code, which must correspond with both the candidate’s occupation and the employer’s designation. If both the job offer and the employer align with the RCIP’s criteria, the foreign worker may qualify for permanent residence consideration through the program.
Although Steinbach has not publicly disclosed the number of nomination slots it has allocated, the Steinbach Economic Development (SED) office confirmed it will accept up to five recommendations per intake cycle. These slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, underscoring the importance of early application.
Maple News notes that the RCIP offers a vital opportunity for foreign workers to establish themselves in Canada outside major metropolitan areas while simultaneously addressing workforce shortages in rural regions. By aligning immigration with local labor demands, the program positions Steinbach as a forward-looking hub for talent-driven growth in southern Manitoba.