May 7, 2025

IRCC Launches Immigration Pathways for French Speakers

After the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) in connecting business and employers in remote communities with skilled newcomers to Canada, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) geared toward foreign nationals who: (1) can help fill labour shortages in designated rural communities in Canada (outside of Quebec); and (2) want to live long-term in these communities.[1] 

Eighteen (18) communities were selected by IRCC to participate in the pilot: 

Rural Participating Communities: 

• Pictou County, NS 
• North Bay, ON 
• Sudbury, ON 
• Timmins, ON 
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON 
• Thunder Bay, ON 
• Steinbach, MB 
• Altona/Rhineland, MB 
• Brandon, MB 
• Moose Jaw, SK 
• Claresholm, AB 
• West Kootenay, BC 
• North Okanagan Shuswap, BC 
• Peace Liard, BC 

Francophone Participating Communities: 

• Acadian Peninsula, NB 
• Sudbury, ON 
• Timmins, ON 
• Superior East Region, ON 
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB [2] 
• Kelowna, BC 

The eligibility criteria for the RCIP states that candidates must have:  

• Valid offer of employment: a valid employment offer that is from a designated employer (one that is approved by an economic development organization). 
• Work experience: at least 1 year of related work experience in the past 3 years 
• Language proficiency: The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) required depends on the NOC TEER of the job offer. 

• Education: The applicant must have obtained at least a secondary school level credential or the equivalent. 
• Proof of funds: Applicants need to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family for one year. 
• Intent to reside: The applicant must intend to reside in the designated community they will work in. 
• Community recommendation: The applicant must have a valid certificate of recommendation from an economic development organization at the time of application.[3]

Most recently, the city of Timmins has published a list of priority sectors and occupations for the RCIP and FCIP pathways and noted that only employers who do business in at least one priority occupation and sector listed below will be eligible to become a designated employer and participate in the immigration pilots. [4] 

Priority sectors for both the RCIP and FCIP:  

• Health 
• Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services 
• Trades and Transport 
• Natural Resources and Agriculture 
• Business, Finance and Administration 

Priority Occupations for the RCIP:  

Priority occupations for the FCIP: 

*Note: Excluded occupations under Trades and Transport: 14404 Dispatchers (employed with taxi companies) and 75200 Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs. 

The RCIP seeks to ensure that rural communities have access to programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need. The FCIP focuses on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec to ensure the economic development of Francophone minority communities, while also helping restore and increase their demographic weight. [5]

If you have any questions regarding these new immigration pilot programs and whether you are eligible to apply, contact our office to book a consultation.  

Thank you for reading. 

[Sources]

Ana Martinez

Ana graduated from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Laws (Juris Doctor). During this time, she participated in mooting and negotiation competitions as well as mentorship and human rights initiatives. Prior to law school, Ana graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Criminology & Socio-Legal Studies and Italian Studies. Ana is fluent in Spanish.

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