Timmins expected to remain in permanent rural immigration program

The federal government announced Nov. 9, 2026, that the Rural Community Immigration Pilot will become a permanent program, with Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie expected to continue participating. The Rural Community Immigration Program will connect designated employers in priority sectors with skilled workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence.

Participating communities will identify priority sectors and occupations based on local labour needs and economic development plans. Only employers designated by those communities and operating in priority sectors will be able to access the program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said.

The pilot began in January 2025. IRCC expects the 14 pilot communities to participate in the permanent program.

Under the program, communities will assess employers based on their demonstrated labour needs, good standing and ability to support newcomer employees. The program will include mandatory employer training on program requirements and responsibilities, plus monitoring and reporting requirements.

IRCC will deliver the program in partnership with local economic development organizations, continuing the employer-community model used during the pilot.

Communities were initially selected for the pilot based on economic needs, including labour shortages and vacancies that Canadians or permanent residents could not fill. Selection also considered access to health care, housing, education and settlement services, as well as communities’ funding and administrative capacity.

IRCC identified population decline, an aging workforce and persistent labour shortages as reasons for establishing the pilot.