The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot ("RNIP") program has been extended another six months to July 31, 2024.

This affects migrant workers in Claresholm. They were one of only eleven communities in Canada approved for the pilot program and the only one in Alberta.

The pilot program was designed to allow skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent residency. 

The Town of Claresholm website states:

"Due to the high influx of applications, The Economic Development Committee has decided to cap employers at a total of 5 Recommendations issued within the life of the Pilot. Depending on labour needs, this decision may be revisited in the future. This decision has been made in an effort to distribute allocations in an equitable manner and meet the labour needs of as many employers as possible.

Claresholm is one of eleven communities in Canada approved for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program and is the only community to be selected in Alberta. The Claresholm RNIP will support economic development by attracting newcomers that are qualified to fill vacant, full-time, permanent jobs within Claresholm and our 25km boundary.

Eligible employers can recruit and hire foreign skilled workers to fill local job vacancies. Since February 2020, Claresholm has issued 61 community recommendations for employment at 33 different businesses in Claresholm."

It's then up to the community to make recommendations to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ("IRCC") and the individual will have until August 31, 2024, to submit their permanent residence application.

You can find more on the IRCC website.

Related Stories