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Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Sault Ste. Marie – A New Pathway to PR for Skilled Workers

  • Writer: Harikrishnan Nair RCIC
    Harikrishnan Nair RCIC
  • May 18
  • 3 min read

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On January 31, 2025, the City of Sault Ste. Marie proudly announced its selection as one of 18 communities across Canada chosen to participate in the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) — a progressive immigration initiative aimed at strengthening regional economies and addressing labour shortages by welcoming skilled immigrants to settle in smaller communities.


What Is RCIP?

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a federal immigration initiative introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to replace the former Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). The RCIP empowers designated rural communities to attract, recruit, and retain skilled foreign workers with job offers aligned with local labour market needs.

Sault Ste. Marie’s participation in RCIP offers eligible employers the opportunity to fill essential roles, and skilled newcomers a pathway to Canadian permanent residence (PR) while becoming part of a welcoming, close-knit community in Northern Ontario.


Key Features of RCIP in Sault Ste. Marie:

  • Employer-Led Program: Only designated employers can submit applications under RCIP.

  • Community-Centered Recruitment: Employers must operate within priority sectors and hire workers who align with the region’s economic needs.

  • Pathway to PR: Once endorsed, applicants can apply to IRCC for permanent residence under the RCIP stream.


Update as of May 8, 2025 @ 2:30 PM

🚫 Cap Reached for Dine-In Restaurant Employers

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has announced that RCIP designation requests for dine-in restaurant employers are now closed. No further applications from this sector will be considered after this date.


Priority Sectors for 2025

Employers in the following five priority sectors are currently eligible to participate in the RCIP:

  1. Health

  2. Education

  3. Manufacturing

  4. Construction

  5. Hospitality and Tourism (excluding dine-in restaurants as of May 8, 2025)


How Employers Can Participate

If your business is operating within the eligible sectors and you have hired or plan to hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) from the 2025 priority NOC list, you may apply for RCIP designation by:

  • Emailing: labourforce@cityssm.on.ca

  • Completing the designation application

  • Undergoing mandatory employer training (links provided post-eligibility verification)


Once designated, employers will be listed publicly and granted access to the RCIP web portal to submit candidate applications.


List of Designated Employers in Sault Ste. Marie (As of May 2025)

Below is the current list of designated employers participating in the RCIP:

  • ALGOMA TUBES INC (TENARIS CANADA)

  • MEADOW PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL (Not currently hiring)

  • NORTHERN POWER TRAIN

  • CHILD CARE ALGOMA (Not currently hiring)

  • CHINA STEEL INC

  • SAULT STE. MARIE YMCA

  • JD AERO TECHNICAL INC

  • CHUCK'S ROADHOUSE BAR AND GRILL

  • GIOVANNI'S RESTAURANT (Not currently hiring)

  • OTR ENGINEERED SOLUTION

  • EXTENDICARE MAPLEVIEW

  • VIACORE

  • SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

  • F. J. DAVEY HOME

  • PARA MED

  • MONTANAS

  • SLING CHOKER (Not currently hiring)

  • Gateway Casinos & Entertainment LTD

  • NORQUAY ENGINEER LTD

  • RF CONTRACTING INC.

  • PURVIS MARINE LIMITED

  • TOTAL PRECISION SURVEYING (Not currently hiring)

  • NORTHEAST REGIONAL SECURITY SERVICES LTD

  • EXTENDICARE VAN DAELE

  • QUATTRO (Not currently hiring)

  • ALGOMA FAMILY SERVICES

  • AVERY CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

  • ONOFRIO TOP SHOP

  • S & T GROUP INC

  • LA ANH

  • SWISS CHALET

  • FIRST GENERAL

  • FAIRFIELD MARRIOT

  • SAULT COMMUNITY CAREER CENTER

  • SAULT NISSAN


The RCIP marks a critical step toward addressing rural labour gaps while supporting immigration pathways outside major urban centres. If you're an employer in Sault Ste. Marie seeking skilled talent or a foreign worker aiming to build a life in Canada, this pilot program offers a unique, community-driven opportunity.


💼 Interested employers: Email labourforce@cityssm.on.ca to initiate the designation process.

🧭 Interested candidates: Watch for openings with designated employers and ensure your skill set aligns with the 2025 NOC priority list.

For updates and FAQs, visit the City’s official Welcome to SSM RCIP Page.

 
 
 

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