Moose Jaw Sets Limits, Lists Jobs Eligible for Rural Immigration Pathway

Also Read

 

The Canadian city of Moose Jaw has unveiled its list of priority sectors and occupations for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), an employer-driven immigration pathway designed to help rural communities tackle labour shortages.

Moose Jaw is the final of 14 participating communities across Canada to implement the federal program, which was launched earlier this year.

---

How the RCIP Works

The RCIP allows designated employers in rural areas to recruit and recommend foreign workers for permanent residence if they:

• Hold a valid job offer in a qualifying occupation.

• Are recommended by the local economic development organization.

• Meet eligibility criteria, including language, education, work experience, and settlement funds.

Candidates who receive a community recommendation can apply for permanent residence and may also obtain a work permit while their application is being processed.

---

Priority Sectors in Moose Jaw

The Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce confirmed that only employers in selected industries can participate in the pilot. The eligible sectors include:

• Business, finance, and administration

• Sales and service

• Trades and transport

• Manufacturing and utilities

• Education, law, social, community, and government services

However, restrictions apply to certain businesses. Gas stations (excluding truck stops), convenience stores, and IT/web development firms are excluded. Food service establishments, financial institutions, and transport companies with fewer than 10 full-time employees can only submit one recommendation per year.

Additionally, lower-skilled jobs are tightly capped. Employers can fill a maximum of 25% of their annual RCIP positions with TEER 5 occupations, with no more than three applications per intake period.

---

Priority Occupations

Moose Jaw has also identified more than 20 eligible occupations across multiple sectors. Some of the highlighted roles include:

• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)

• Administrative officers (13100)

• Carpenters (72310)

• Cooks (63200)

• Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)

• Welders and related machine operators (72106)

• Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (33102)

• Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers (64100)

---

Eligibility for Applicants

To qualify, foreign workers must demonstrate they meet RCIP requirements by showing:

• At least one year of relevant work experience within the last three years, or recent graduation from an eligible Moose Jaw post-secondary institution.

• English or French proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark 4–6 depending on the occupation).

• A secondary or post-secondary qualification (Canadian or foreign equivalent).

• Proof of settlement funds to support themselves and their families.

---

Building a Localized Immigration Strategy

By outlining priority sectors and occupations, Moose Jaw aims to align immigration with real labour market demands while preventing misuse of the program by very small or low-demand employers.

Officials say the approach reflects Canada’s broader effort to tailor immigration to regional and rural needs, ensuring smaller communities attract and retain the skilled workers they require.