New immigration program opens doors to rural Canada for Filipinos and others
Most Filipinos in Canada are found in major urban centres, where many jobs and economic opportunities are found.
Based on figures from the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, the Toronto metropolitan area is home to the largest Filipino population in the country, with 274,760 residents, followed by Vancouver, 133,925, and Winnipeg 77,305.
With the launch of a new pilot program, Filipinos thinking of immigrating to Canada may want to consider rural and smaller communities.
The five-year pilot is called the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Program.
According to the federal government, the program is intended to "help smaller rural and northern communities to attract, integrate and retain foreign skilled workers meeting their economic development and labour market needs".
The pilot will operate in 11 communities: Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and North Bay in the province of Ontario; Gretna–Rhineland–Altona–Plum Coulee, and Brandon in Manitoba province; Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Claresholm in Alberta, the West Kootenay area, and Vernon in British Columbia.
The government has authorized the first cohort of community partners to begin recommending candidates as of November 1, 2019, and the second cohort as of January 1, 2020.
Three communities have started actively participating in the pilot program: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba; and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The other communities are anticipated to launch their respective programs in the New Year.
The RNIP was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The ministerial instructions for the program have been in effect since September 1, 2019.
"The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program," IRCC explains.
"It's designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities," the agency adds.
To be eligible, applicants must obtain a full time and permanent job offer from an employer that carries on business within a participating community.
Applicants should also demonstrate the intention to live permanently within the community.
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/rural-northern-immigration-pilot.html
Loizza Aquino: removing the stigma around mental health issues
Wooing the Canadian voter: Promises by political parties
Pinoys on Parliament seeks pathways for young Canadian Filipinos to succeed
Curtain call for Canadian Filipino musical Right Here, Write Now!
Platito – small plate, big taste in Toronto
The Filipino Family in Canada
Philippine Eagle Foundation joins Vancouver International Bird Congress to Save Philippine National Bird
Joseph Planta of TheCommentary.ca interviews award-winning author Miguel Syjuco (Last of a three-part series)
Restaurant named Junior popularizes Filipino cuisine in downtown Montreal
Filipino artists from Canada, U.S. and Philippines showcase works at Vancouver's Roundhouse
For Some, Christmas Calls Every Day
Canadian firetrucks make a difference in Philippine town of Panglao
Artist and activist Petronila Cleto passes away in Toronto
"Till Death Us Do Part"– What God has joined together let no man put asunder: The marriage vow is forever, for better, for worse (Third of a 4-part Series)
International migration drives Canada's largest population growth so far
Words of wisdom from Canadian Filipinos in elected public office (First of a series)
Lawyer Antonio Villarin wants to become voice of Canadian Filipinos in Scarborough