Maple News reports that West Kootenay, located in southeastern British Columbia, has officially released its list of designated employers under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a program aimed at attracting skilled immigrants to smaller Canadian communities.
The RCIP is an employer-driven initiative that allows foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence in Canada, provided they have a valid job offer from a designated employer and meet the program’s additional eligibility criteria. The offer must also fall within one of the priority occupations identified by the community.
West Kootenay’s designated area for this pilot spans a broad region, with its southern boundary stretching along the U.S. border from Rock Creek in the west to Yahk in the east. The northwestern limit extends to Hughes Peak, while the northeastern point reaches up to Duncan Lake. Communities included in the RCIP program area include Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kaslo, Nakusp, and others.
Designated employers in the region represent a wide range of industries, reflecting the local economy’s diversity. These sectors include healthcare, education, community services, food and accommodation, trades, transport, and manufacturing. Notable employers include Ancron Medical Services in Nelson, Kootenay Employment Services in Creston, Boston Pizza in Castlegar, Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, and Kalesnikoff Lumber in Thrums.
This list of employers gives a clear signal to foreign workers about in-demand job opportunities that are aligned with local development goals. Once a designated employer identifies a foreign national they’d like to hire under the RCIP, the next step involves submitting a community-based recommendation application. If approved, the candidate can then apply to the federal government for permanent residency.
The RCIP is similar in structure to other rural immigration pathways like the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), emphasizing community involvement, labor market needs, and long-term retention of newcomers outside major urban centers.
For skilled workers seeking a pathway to permanent residence and a chance to build a life in Canada, West Kootenay’s RCIP offers a promising opportunity anchored in employer and community support.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on rural immigration efforts across the country as communities tap into these tailored programs to strengthen their local economies and demographics.