A new federal pilot program has been launched in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to address critical labour shortages by attracting and retaining newcomers. This initiative comes on the heels of a similar provincial program announced the previous week. The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a five-year program spanning 18 communities across Canada, including several in northern Ontario. The program focuses on assisting employers in finding and retaining qualified individuals, offering a pathway to permanent residency for newcomers who fill essential roles.
A new federal pilot program has been introduced in Thunder Bay , Ont., which aims to fill key labour shortages by attracting and retaining newcomers. It comes after a similar provincial program was announced in the northwestern Ontario city last week. Here's what we know about the pilots and the key goals with each.
Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), says the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program is focused on helping employers attract and retain newcomers who can fill key labour force gaps. A new pilot program has been introduced in Thunder Bay, Ont., which aims to fill key labour shortages by attracting and retaining newcomers. The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) was announced in the city on Monday by Thunder Bay—Superior North MP Patty Hajdu. The five-year federal pilot program is being introduced in 18 communities, including Sudbury, Timmins, and Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario. Half a dozen communities will also be participating in what's called the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). 'Northern Ontario, as you know, has had a history of sort of booming and declining populations, oftentimes in communities that have relied on one single sector of the economy,' Hajdu said. 'It can be a really perilous time for communities as they try to hold on to population, they try to hold on to a small business landscape, and try to reimagine a more diverse economy.' The goal with the RCIP is to provide communities with a permanent residence pathway for newcomers who will live there long-term and fill critical labour gaps, she explained. Thunder Bay—Superior North MP Patty Hajdu says Canada has always relied on immigration to meet key labour needs, and programs like the RCIP help solidify this approach. 'I think the main difference is that is more employer-focused,' said Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), which will be leading the pilot in Thunder Bay. Employers will undertake training to qualify for the program before they are able to make permanent job offers to candidates, she said.Housing, fate of LPH property among key topics for Thunder Bay leaders at ROMA conference The federal program comes a week after the provincial government announced a new one-year Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot in Thunder Bay, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, and Sarnia-Lambton. Through the REDI program, the Thunder Bay CEDC has been awarded up to 200 nominations via the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP's) employer job offer stream. The federal and provincial programs combined demonstrate a recognition from both levels of government of Thunder Bay's potential for growth, Taylor said. 'It's a recognition not only that the CEDC has the capability of delivering these programs, but it's also a recognition that Thunder Bay is a place where they think that there will be success, right?' she said. 'In times of stress, people look for scapegoats, and unfortunately, immigrants are often the scapegoats that can be chosen by populist leaders and used as a way to divide communities and divide their populations,' Hajdu said. There hasn't been an in-person citizenship ceremony in Thunder Bay for years. A petition aims to change that', Taylor said Lakehead University and Confederation College are key economic drivers in the community, and that the number of amenities offered to newcomers in Thunder Bay makes it an attractive city to settle in.
IMMIGRATION LABOUR SHORTAGES THUNDER BAY ONTARIO RURAL COMMUNITY IMMIGRATION PILOT RCIP CANADA
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