Thunder Bay, a city in northwestern Ontario, Canada, has officially released the names of employers who are approved to hire foreign workers under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This immigration program is designed to help smaller communities attract skilled workers by offering a pathway to permanent residency (PR).
What is RCIP and how does it work?
The RCIP (Rural Community Immigration Pilot) is a program that focuses on employer-driven immigration. This means you can only apply through this program if you have a job offer from an employer that is approved or “designated” by the community. In Thunder Bay’s case, these designated employers have been approved by the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).
This is great news for those looking to settle in a peaceful Canadian city with job opportunities and community support.
List of Designated Employers in Thunder Bay
If you want to move to Canada through this program, you’ll need a job offer from one of the employers listed below:
| Designated Employers | Addresses |
|---|---|
| 14786068 Canada Inc. Circle K | 3 Balsam Street |
| 1000661225 Ontario Inc. Circle K | A- 1500 James street South |
| Clara Industrial Services Limited | 1130 Commerce Street |
| Golden Wok | 106 May St S |
| Great Canadian Oil Change | 1160 Memorial Ave |
| Guac Mexi Grill | 570 Harbour Expressway, Unit 2 |
| Inspired Cabinetry & Granite Inc | 146 Gore St West |
| JKS Enterprises – Diamond Taxi | 113 Leith Street |
| Kasper Bus Lines | 947 Memorial Ave |
| Lakehead Roofing & Metal Cladding Ltd. | 1190 Russell Street |
| Land of Spices | 707 Memorial Avenue, Unit 1 |
| Lowerys, Limited | 540 Central Avenue |
| Mahmowenchike Family Development Centre | 150 Redwood Avenue West |
| Maltese Grocery Ltd | 301 Pearl Street |
| Northern Turf Equipment | 710B Balmoral St |
| Outlaws Burgers & Fries | 801 Central Ave |
| Scott Family Dental | 276 Park Ave |
| Shelter House | 420 George St |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | -681 & 1312 194 N. Court St |
| -1312 – 572 Arthur St W | |
| SLR Contracting Corp. | 105 May St N Unit 7 |
| Spadoni Leasing Limited | 450 Sifton Ave |
| Thundermaple Asian Food Co | 777 Memorial Ave |
| Village Market | 336 Wardrope Ave |
| Wasabi Restaurant | 538 Arthur St West |
Who is eligible to apply through Thunder Bay’s RCIP?
To be eligible, you must:
- Have a job offer from one of the designated employers listed above.
- The job must be in one of Thunder Bay’s priority occupations, which were shared by the city last month.
- Meet basic requirements for Canadian immigration, such as:
- Work experience
- Language skills (English or French)
- Educational qualifications
- Proof of settlement funds
Once you receive a valid job offer, your employer must submit your application to the CEDC. If you meet all the requirements and get a community recommendation, you can then apply to the federal government for permanent residency.
What’s happening in other RCIP communities?
Thunder Bay is one of 14 communities taking part in the RCIP program. It is the second community to publish its list of designated employers, after Timmins. Other communities like Claresholm, Brandon, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and North Okanagan-Shuswap have also announced their priority occupations, helping more applicants prepare their documents in advance.
1. Can I apply for PR directly without a job offer?
No, you must first have a job offer from a designated employer in Thunder Bay to be eligible.
2. What types of jobs are considered “priority occupations”?
Each RCIP community, including Thunder Bay, publishes a list of in-demand jobs they are looking to fill. These can include positions in trades, healthcare, food services, transportation, and more.
3. Do I need a work permit first?
Yes, you will typically need a work permit to start working. The job offer must lead toward permanent residency.
4. Is language testing mandatory?
Yes, you’ll need to prove your English or French language ability through an approved test like IELTS or CELPIP.
5. Can I bring my family with me?
Yes, if you qualify for PR through this program, your spouse and children can also come and live in Canada with you.
6. How is RCIP different from Express Entry?
RCIP is for smaller communities and focuses on filling local labor shortages. It is not points-based like Express Entry. It gives a better chance to those who have job offers and want to live in a specific community.
7. What if my employer is not on the designated list?
Then you cannot apply through RCIP. Only employers approved by the community are eligible under this pilot.
Conclusion
If you’ve been dreaming of moving to Canada but didn’t qualify through other programs like Express Entry, the RCIP could be your opportunity—especially if you have a job offer in a smaller community like Thunder Bay. The process is designed to support local businesses and newcomers at the same time, helping both grow and succeed.
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CREDIT: CIC NEWS
