Two Canadian cities—Brandon in Manitoba and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario has announced key labor sectors they plan to prioritize under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), opening new doors for skilled foreign workers in 2025.
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Expanding Pathways to Permanent Residency in Rural Canada
Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is emerging as a critical tool to support labor market growth in underserved regions. Designed to help smaller communities attract and retain international talent, RCIP allows local governments to tailor immigration to their economic needs.
The latest communities to define their 2025 priorities are Brandon and Sault Ste. Marie. Their sector selections point to growing demand for healthcare professionals, tradespeople, engineers, and service workers—roles that are increasingly difficult to fill locally.
Sault Ste. Marie: Strengthening Core Sectors
Sault Ste. Marie, located in Northern Ontario along the U.S. border, will focus on filling jobs across five broad sectors:
- Healthcare
- Education and Social Services
- Sales and Service
- Skilled Trades and Transportation
- Manufacturing and Utilities
The city has secured 300 RCIP spots for 2025, though specific job titles and employers have not yet been disclosed. These positions are expected to be allocated to candidates who meet federal eligibility criteria and demonstrate an intent to live and work long-term in the city.
Brandon: Targeting In-Demand Occupations with Precision
Brandon, the second-largest city in Manitoba, has taken a detailed approach by not only listing priority sectors but also highlighting job titles, national occupation codes (NOCs), and minimum language requirements.
Healthcare Focus
Brandon is dedicating 15% of its 180 RCIP spots to healthcare occupations, including:
- Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
- General Practitioners (NOC 31102)
- Dentists (NOC 31110)
- Nurse Aides (NOC 33102)
- Clinical Specialists and Surgeons
Language benchmarks for healthcare roles generally fall between CLB 5 and 6, reflecting the communication demands of the profession.
Engineering and Technical Roles
Brandon also requires civil, mechanical, and industrial engineers, along with technologists and support technicians. These jobs typically require CLB scores of 5 or 6, and align with the city’s efforts to boost its infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.
Trades and Labour
From welders and plumbers to carpenters and millwrights, Brandon has earmarked several trades under its priority list. These roles, many of which are vital to the construction and industrial sectors, carry language requirements ranging from CLB 4 to 5.
Why Priority Sectors Matter in RCIP
Unlike traditional immigration programs, RCIP is community- and employer-driven. Participating cities define which sectors they wish to develop, and employers in those fields receive approval to recruit foreign workers.
In practice, this means that foreign nationals seeking to apply through RCIP must align their skills and job searches with the sectors and occupations that each community prioritizes. Without a job offer from a designated employer in a listed sector, applicants will not qualify.
At present, neither Sault Ste. Marie nor Brandon has published its list of designated employers, though these are expected to follow soon.
The Bigger Picture: RCIP’s National Scope
There are 14 participating communities in the RCIP pilot, each given autonomy to tailor their own strategies. Timmins, Ontario, was the first to reveal its sector priorities earlier this month, with others expected to roll out their frameworks in the coming weeks.
RCIP candidates must meet standard immigration requirements, including:
- A valid job offer from a designated employer
- Relevant work experience
- Language proficiency in English or French
- Educational credentials
- Proof of financial stability
- A strong intent to reside in the chosen community
Applicants already living in Canada must also maintain valid temporary resident status throughout the process.
Since RCIP applications are capped annually, early application is advised for those ready to pursue this unique route to permanent residency.
Conclusion
With Brandon and Sault Ste. Marie officially onboard for 2025, the RCIP is picking up momentum as a meaningful immigration pathway for skilled professionals looking beyond major urban centers. For communities facing chronic labor shortages, it’s a strategic step forward. And for global talent seeking a Canadian future, it’s an open door—one community at a time.
