January 22, 2026 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the first year of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a five-year federal economic immigration program designed to help communities attract and retain skilled workers.
“The RCIP is an important pathway for economic immigration and a practical tool to help address labour shortages in our community,” said Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC. “By offering permanent residence to skilled workers who want to live and work in Thunder Bay, we are supporting local employers while strengthening our workforce and community. We will continue working closely with employers to attract and retain the talent our economy needs.”
The RCIP applies to the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and is employer-driven, aligning workforce needs with skilled immigration opportunities. In its first year, the program supported the following priority sectors:
- Business
- Health
- Community and Social Services
- Sales and Service
- Trades and Transport
Through the pilot, 25 priority National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes were identified and supported based on community and employer input.
2025 Program Highlights:
- 358 employers designated across the Thunder Bay CMA
- 175 designated employers had candidates receive a Recommendation Certificate
- 475 Recommendation Certificates issued, representing the program’s full annual allotment
- Nearly 900 candidate applications reviewed
- 475 principal applicants and 356 dependents supported, representing a total of 831 individuals
Planning for the 2026 RCIP intake is currently underway, with program details to be announced soon. Employers interested in participating are encouraged to monitor the CEDC website for updates, including supported sectors, priority NOCs, and application timelines.
For more information about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and upcoming program details, visit https://gotothunderbay.ca/why-thunder-bay/immigration/
