Announced yesterday, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a new program designed to help immigrants settle in smaller communities.
This five-year program follows in the footsteps of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, launched in 2017 to improve the economy of Atlantic Canada via immigration.
Smaller communities have diverse economic needs, and some may face barriers to economic growth that immigration can help solve, such as aging populations that lead to labour shortages.
The program is designed to improve their social and economic vitality by making it easier for newcomers to settle there.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is now accepting applications from smaller or remote communities in Ontario, Western Canada, and the Territories. The final selections will be announced this spring, after which IRCC will help them find candidates interested in settling in these locations.