Dear future neighbour,
On May 5, 2025, Thunder Bay, Ontario, expanded its Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) by announcing a list of designated employers authorized to recruit foreign workers for permanent residency.
Newly Designated Employers in Thunder Bay
The following employers have been officially designated under the RCIP:
| 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 |
These employers span various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, food services, transportation, and construction, reflecting Thunder Bay’s commitment to addressing labor shortages across multiple industries.
RCIP Overview
The RCIP is an employer-driven immigration initiative designed to attract skilled foreign workers to Thunder Bay by facilitating their pathway to permanent residence. Employers within the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area can apply for designation through the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC). Once designated, these employers can offer jobs to eligible foreign workers and submit recommendation applications on their behalf.
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
To be considered under the RCIP, candidates must:
- Secure a valid job offer from a designated employer in Thunder Bay.
- Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience within the past three years.
- Demonstrate language proficiency through an approved English or French language test.
- Possess a Canadian educational credential or its foreign equivalent.
- Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds for themselves and any accompanying family members.
It’s important to note that the list of designated employers is subject to change as the RCIP progresses.
Thunder Bay became the second RCIP community to publish its list of approved employers. Timmins, which also takes part in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), had released its employer list the week before.
So far, seven out of the 14 RCIP communities have identified their key sectors and in-demand jobs. These include:
-
Claresholm
-
Timmins
-
Brandon
-
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Thunder Bay
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North Okanagan-Shuswap
-
North Bay
Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com