Two Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot communities now accepting applications.
Canada’s anticipated Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is finally opening to applications.
Once fully operational, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) will allow employers in 11 participating communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia to recruit eligible foreign workers.
Candidates who are recommended by a participating community will be able to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence.
The first local websites dedicated to the pilot came online November 15 in the following communities:
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
Sault Ste. Marie and Altona/Rhineland are now accepting applications from candidates with an eligible offer of genuine*, full-time, permanent employment from a local employer.
Thunder Bay is currently only accepting inquiries from local employers who would like to participate in the pilot and says approved employers will be able to post job vacancies on the website beginning December 1, 2019.
Thunder Bay will begin accepting applications from candidates on January 2, 2020.
The websites for the remaining eight participating communities are “coming soon,” according to IRCC.
Application process
The first step in the immigration process through the RNIP is to obtain an eligible job offer from an approved employer in one of the participating communities.
Candidates with an eligible job offer then apply for a community recommendation and, if approved, submit an application for Canadian permanent residence from IRCC.
Each community will have a set number of recommendations that it can make each year. Peter Liang, a spokesperson for IRCC, told CIC News that an average of approximately 100 principal applicants and their immediate family members could be welcomed in each participating community, “but this will vary by community.”
“The number of permanent residents coming to Canada through the pilot will depend on the needs of the participating communities and the number of newcomers they can welcome,” Liang said.
In total, the pilot could approve as many as 2,750 principal applicants and their families for permanent residence annually.
Eligibility
Beyond the mandatory job offer, candidates must meet both federal requirements and community criteria that vary from one municipality to another.
Both Sault Ste. Marie and Altona/Rhineland are using their own points-based systems to prioritize candidates for recommendation.
Candidates applying to Sault Ste. Marie, for example, will have to obtain a minimum score based on the following requirements:
- a job offer in one of 22 priority occupations
- at least two years of work experience in that occupation
- the applicant’s age (18 to 47 only)
- at least one year of full-time work experience in Sault Ste. Marie
- at least a year of post-secondary studies in Sault Ste. Marie
- the applicant is already a resident of Sault Ste. Marie
- personal ties to established members of the Sault Ste. Marie community
- immediate family (parent, sibling or child who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
- extended family member (grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece or nephew), a friend or a representative of an established community organization who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- a visit to Sault Ste. Marie of at least five nights within the past three years that included meetings with at least two employers in the applicant’s line of work
- authentic knowledge of and interest in a “recreational, cultural, or lifestyle activity” in Sault Ste. Marie
Candidates with a spouse or common-law partner will also receive points for the following:
- spouse or common-law partner with a valid job offer in a priority occupation OR at least two years of full-time, continuous work experience in a priority occupation
- spouse or common-law partner with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 in each category (writing, reading, oral and listening)
Sault Ste. Marie says an applicant’s score determines the likelihood that they will be able to contribute to “an urgent or emerging need in the local economy,” build strong ties with community members and enjoy the city’s “unique lifestyle and cultural offerings.”
“We believe that applicants with high scores have a better chance of integrating into community life and staying in Sault Ste. Marie for the long-term,” the city explains on its dedicated RNIP website.
Altona/Rhineland requires interested candidates to create and register an online profile using a platform operated by its local economic development corporation, SEED.
The platform allows users to search job postings and apply for those that match their qualifications. Users can also set up automatic alerts that will notify them when jobs are posted that match their work experience.
Users can also upload their CV, which is vetted by SEED personnel and passed along to local employers if it matches their employment needs.
As of last week, SEED reported that nearly 2,000 profiles had already been created.
Are There Benefits to Attending French Universities in Canada?
by Aliyyah Nazeem
Many people who are hoping to move to Canada begin by improving their English-language skills. That is because you have to pass an English exam to immigrate via Express Entry.
But did you know that mastering French can also help you qualify for Express Entry?
French is one of the nation’s two official languages, but it is less common. Therefore, although you must be proficient in English, you will earn bonus points if you also know French.
Plus, Canadian employers might prefer to hire someone who speaks French. Securing employment is helpful, because work experience also counts toward Express Entry.
To improve your language skills, you can choose to attend a college or university where the courses are taught in French. Immersion programs allow you to practice your French while pursuing an unrelated major. Graduating from a French immersion program could help you stand out when applying for jobs.
Below, learn more about the advantages of speaking French as an international newcomer in Canada. You will also find an overview of colleges and universities that offer programs in French.
The Advantages of Speaking French for Canadian Immigrants
As either a primary or secondary language, it is valuable for Canadian residents to know French. You can become fluent by enrolling in either a fully immersive (all-French) or bilingual (French-English) program. These are offered across several provinces, so you will be able to choose the environment, location, and program type that sounds right to you.
Here are two of the ways that French can contribute to your successful immigration journey:
Gain Work Experience in Canada
After graduating from a post-secondary degree program, you can earn points toward Express Entry by gaining work experience in Canada. (This falls under the Canadian Experience Class.)
Just remember, you must first obtain a post-graduation work permit. Then, be sure to promote your French-language skills on your résumé and in your cover letter when applying for jobs.
Many employers seek skilled immigrants who can speak French. Improve your chances of landing a job by using your time at school to work on your French.
Qualify for the Provincial Nominee Program
In addition to Express Entry, immigrant hopefuls can look into the Provincial Nominee Program.
This program allows the provinces and territories to nominate individuals for immigration to Canada. If you have attended school in a certain province, participated in the local community, found work in the area (or shown value as a future employee), and demonstrated cultural interest—such as learning French—it might improve your chances of earning this special nomination.
The Provincial Nominee Program does, however, presume that you will settle in that particular area once you have received your visa. If this is your aim, it is important to choose where you study and work carefully. Be sure it is somewhere you could see yourself living for many years.
French Universities and Colleges in Canada
French immersion programs can improve your chances of immigrating after graduation.
If French is your native language, or your skills are very advanced, you might want to choose a complete immersion program. If French is a secondary language, or one you are still working on, another option is to attend a bilingual program.
Although not exhaustive, the list below demonstrates the kinds of French-language programs that you can find across Canada—organized by province.
British Columbia
Simon Fraser University is located in scenic Burnaby, British Columbia. Students can study in French (or English) within the school of Arts and Social Sciences and the school of Education. At Simon Fraser, international students make up about 19 percent of the student population. Many of those who participate in French programs further their language development skills by taking advantage of the school’s partnerships and studying abroad in Europe and Quebec.
Manitoba
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, l’Université de Sainte-Boniface is the only fully immersive French-language university in the province and is located in the French Quarter. The university provides a range of undergraduate programs—from business administration to translation and social work. It also offers master’s degrees in education and in arts.
Ontario
French is the language of instruction at Hearst University’s three campuses in picturesque Northeastern Ontario. Also known as Université de Hearst, it offers the best of both worlds: low tuition fees and high-quality education. Hearst is known throughout the region for its Franco-Ontarian pride.
Sudbury, the home of the Big Nickel, also hosts the Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne, which is fully bilingual. There are 800 course sections that are entirely taught in French; with these courses alone, you can graduate with one of 150 possible degrees in 43 disciplines.
If you would like a smaller campus but still want the feel of a city, then fully bilingual York University – Glendon Campus in Toronto might be the best option for you. Not only can you to practice your language skills in both English and French, you will also benefit from a culturally diverse staff hailing from over 100 countries.
Ontario also has two French-language colleges–Collège Boréal and La Cité. Both offer a variety of programs. La Cité has a second campus in Ottawa.
In the nation’s capital, you will also find the University of Ottawa. At this prestigious institution, you can study in French, English, or both.
New Brunswick
The University of Moncton is the largest French-language institution in Canada, outside of Quebec. Situated in New Brunswick, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, the university offers more than 160 programs of study. They include law, nursing, science, and social work. Students enjoy the local beaches, parks, and hiking trails.
Another option is Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, New Brunswick’s French language community college. Its programs of study include arts and culture, natural sciences, and community services.
Preparing for Your Immigration Journey
Whether you want to join a French-language program at a large university or cozy college, in a big city or small town, you have plenty of options to choose from in Canada. Consider which academic environment will best meet your needs, as well as which province you might find appealing to live and work in once you graduate.
You can learn more about your options through the Association des Collèges et Universités de la Francophonie Canadienne, an organization supported by the government of Canada.
Regardless of where you study, it will take more than strong language skills to call the Great White North a permanent home. Research Canada’s immigration processes and policies carefully, so that you can take advantage of every opportunity and be prepared in case of potential setbacks. Be sure that you thoroughly understand your options before planning your education and post-graduate journey.
It is a good idea to start this research early. However, it is undeniable that reading, writing, and speaking French will be a valuable asset along the way.
Source: WES
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