February 10, 2026 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has officially launched the second year of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), an employer-driven initiative designed to strengthen workforce attraction and retention by providing a streamlined immigration pathway for skilled workers.

“The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a valuable tool for Thunder Bay employers,” said Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC. “It helps retain the skilled workers already contributing to our local economy while creating opportunities to attract new talent where gaps exist. As we move into the second year of this five-year pilot, we look forward to continuing our support for business stability, workforce continuity, and long-term community growth.”

Updates for the 2026 program include the addition of a sixth priority sector and revised National Occupation Classification (NOC) priorities. These updates reflect current labour market needs, employer feedback, and program guidelines established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The RCIP is entirely employer-driven, with participation restricted to employers operating within six approved sectors:

• Business, finance and administration
• Health
• Education, law, and social, community and government services
• Sales and service
• Trades and transport
• Manufacturing and utilities

Only Designated Employers can work with the CEDC to recommend candidates for permanent residency through RCIP. Employers located within the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) may apply to the CEDC for designation. This status allows employers to retain qualified foreign nationals already working locally or recruit talent from within Canada or internationally.

Employers interested in becoming designated are encouraged to review the application steps on the CEDC website: https://gotothunderbay.ca/rural-community-immigration-pilot-rcip/

Individuals interested in the program should connect directly with their employer, as only participating designated employers can initiate the RCIP process with the CEDC.

For more information and resources, please visit the IRCC website: IRCC Candidate Resources.

Employers seeking details or wishing to apply to the RCIP can visit https://gotothunderbay.ca/rural-community-immigration-pilot-rcip/