Canada has unveiled new immigration pilot initiatives aimed at bolstering rural and Francophone minority communities.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced innovative pilot programs aimed at supporting rural and Francophone minority communities, which are vital to Canada's future prosperity. These initiatives focus on bolstering regional immigration to enhance the economic well-being of these areas. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has already shown positive outcomes by linking employers in less populated areas with the skilled immigrants required for growth.

Continuing these efforts, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, signaling ongoing efforts to develop a permanent rural immigration strategy. Set to start in the fall of 2024, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot is designed to address workforce shortages in rural areas, enabling these regions to recruit the necessary labor to sustain and expand local enterprises. This pilot will offer pathways to permanent residency for immigrants eager to build their lives in these communities, addressing critical labor market needs.

Similarly, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, inspired by the RNIP's achievements and aligned with our Francophone Immigration Policy, will launch in the fall of 2024. This initiative aims to boost the influx of French-speaking immigrants into Francophone minority communities outside Quebec, supporting both their economic development and demographic revitalization.

This spring, IRCC will begin the community application process to select participants for these pilots, with more information to be provided shortly. Through the introduction of these pilots and the move towards making RNIP a permanent fixture, the goal is to draw and keep skilled international workers in rural and Francophone minority communities, thereby enhancing their economic resilience and cultural richness. IRCC is committed to working closely with these communities to refine and strengthen Canada's immigration programs.