Eligible Jobs Announced Under New Permanent Residence Programs in Canada

Timmins, a city in Northern Ontario, has officially published its list of high-priority job roles and sectors tied to two recently launched immigration programs offering permanent residency in Canada.

Timmins stands out as one of the few communities participating in both the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). Notably, it is also the first to release details on the specific occupations and sectors it will prioritize under these pathways.

Key Priority Sectors Announced

For both the RCIP and FCIP programs, Timmins has identified the following sectors as areas of focus:

• Healthcare
• Education, Law, Social Services, Community and Government Services
• Skilled Trades and Transportation
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Business, Finance, and Administrative Roles

Important Note: Within the Trades and Transport category, some roles are excluded. Specifically, dispatchers working for taxi companies (NOC 14404), taxi drivers, and limousine chauffeurs (NOC 75200) are not included as priority occupations.

Timmins’ priority occupations for the FCIP can be seen below:

Why These Occupations Matter

In order to take part in the Timmins RCIP or FCIP, employers must operate in at least one of the designated sectors or offer jobs in the listed priority occupations. Only such businesses will be considered eligible to receive “designated employer” status—an essential requirement for participation in these programs.

Since both immigration pilots are employer-driven, applicants must first secure a job offer from a designated employer (recognized by the region’s economic development office) before applying for permanent residency through either pathway.

Timmins has also outlined criteria for businesses seeking designation and plans to make a full list of approved employers available soon.

Other communities involved in the RCIP and FCIP are expected to release their respective lists of sectors, occupations, and designated employers in the near future.

Background on the RCIP and FCIP Programs

Launched on January 30, 2025, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) are two new initiatives introduced by the Canadian government to attract skilled workers to underserved regions.

• RCIP focuses on bringing foreign nationals to rural areas across Canada (excluding Quebec) to address local labour shortages.
  
• FCIP is tailored for French-speaking foreign nationals who possess intermediate-level French proficiency and have job offers in eligible occupations within selected communities.
  

Both pilots offer successful applicants a pathway to Canadian permanent residency and work permits that are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

A total of 18 communities have been chosen to participate in these initiatives.

How the Selection Process Works

To qualify, applicants must meet several criteria including:

• Relevant work experience
• Language proficiency (English and/or French, depending on the stream)
• Educational qualifications
• Proof of settlement funds
• A genuine, full-time job offer from a designated employer

Each participating community works with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through a local economic development organization. These organizations play a crucial role in identifying labour shortages, approving employers, and recommending eligible candidates for permanent residency.

As Timmins takes the lead in unveiling its in-demand roles and industries, other communities are expected to follow, opening up new opportunities for skilled workers aiming to build a future in Canada’s smaller cities and towns.

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