Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Healthcare workers, skilled trades professionals, and tech specialists top the list of in-demand occupations across Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Timmins under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete list of 125+ priority occupations across Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Timmins
- Specific NOC codes and sector changes that could fast-track your permanent residence application
- New manufacturing, natural sciences, and business opportunities that weren't available in 2025
- Step-by-step requirements including language scores, work experience, and settlement funds
- Insider details on which communities exclude fast food and retail positions
Summary:
Five Ontario communities have just released their updated priority job lists for 2026 under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, creating fresh pathways to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers. From Thunder Bay's new manufacturing focus to North Bay's expanded tech sector, these changes represent the biggest shift in rural immigration opportunities since the program launched. If you're a healthcare professional, skilled tradesperson, or business specialist looking for Canadian permanent residence, these communities are actively recruiting workers like you with guaranteed job offers and community support.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- All five Ontario RCIP communities have expanded from 5 to 6 priority sectors (except Timmins with 5)
- Manufacturing and utilities, natural sciences, and business sectors are newly prioritized across multiple regions
- 125+ specific occupations now qualify, from aircraft mechanics to software developers
- Language requirements range from CLB 4 to CLB 6 depending on job skill level
- Settlement funds required range from $10,507 for singles to $27,806+ for families
Maria Santos refreshed her email for the third time that morning, waiting for news about Ontario's rural immigration priorities. As a licensed practical nurse from the Philippines, she'd been tracking the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for months, knowing that landing on a priority occupation list could be her family's ticket to Canadian permanent residence.
The wait is over. Five Ontario communities participating in the RCIP have just announced their priority sectors and occupations for 2026, and the changes are more significant than many expected. For foreign nationals like Maria, these updates represent new opportunities—and some strategic shifts that could affect application success rates.
Thunder Bay: Manufacturing Takes Center Stage
Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario's economic hub, has made a bold move by adding manufacturing and utilities to its priority sectors for 2026. This represents a strategic pivot toward industrial recruitment that wasn't present in 2025.
The city now prioritizes six key sectors:
- Business, finance and administration
- Health
- Education, law and social, community, and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators
- Manufacturing and utilities (new for 2026)
Thunder Bay's 25 Priority Occupations
The most in-demand positions span from administrative roles to specialized trades. Here's what's generating the most employer interest:
Healthcare and Social Services:
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (33100)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (44101)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
Skilled Trades and Technical:
- Aircraft mechanics and inspectors (72404)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (72410)
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
- Construction trades helpers and labourers (75110)
- Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunication occupations (72011)
Business and Administration:
- Administrative assistants (13110)
- General office support workers (14100)
- Payroll administrators (13102)
- Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (11202)
Service Industry:
- Cooks (63200)
- Bakers (63202)
- Hotel front desk clerks (64314)
- Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers (64100)
- Security guards and related security service occupations (64410)
- Other services supervisors (62029)
Specialized Roles:
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
- Sawmill machine operators (94120)
- Transport truck drivers (73300) - specifically short-haul and local drivers only
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission notes that occupations falling under the 2026 priority sectors but not explicitly listed may still be considered case-by-case—a flexibility that could benefit applicants in related fields.
North Bay: Technology and Engineering Expansion
North Bay has signaled its commitment to becoming a regional tech hub by adding natural and applied sciences to its priority sectors. This Northeastern Ontario city is actively recruiting in areas that weren't prioritized just one year ago.
The six priority sectors for 2026 include:
- Business, finance and administration
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Natural and applied sciences (new addition)
North Bay's Strategic Occupations
What sets North Bay apart is its explicit exclusion of fast food and retail positions, focusing instead on skilled roles that support long-term economic growth:
Technology and Engineering:
- Software developers and programmers (21232)
- Computer network and web technicians (22220)
- Civil engineers (21300)
- Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
Healthcare Professionals:
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (33100)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient services associates (33102)
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (44101)
Financial and Business Services:
- Financial auditors and accountants (11100)
- Financial advisors (11102)
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (12200)
- Administrative assistants (13110)
Skilled Manufacturing:
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
- Welders and related machine operators (72106)
- Chemical plant machine operators (94110)
The city's focus on excluding low-skill service positions while prioritizing technology roles suggests a deliberate strategy to attract workers who can contribute to higher-value economic activities.
Sault Ste. Marie: Business and Science Focus
Located strategically between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, Sault Ste. Marie has made significant changes to its priority sectors, dropping sales and service while adding both natural and applied sciences and business, finance and administration.
2026 Priority Sectors:
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Business, finance and administration (new)
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Manufacturing and utilities
- Natural and applied sciences (new)
High-Demand Occupations in Sault Ste. Marie
The city's occupation list reflects its industrial heritage while embracing technological advancement:
Aviation and Transportation:
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (93200)
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (72404)
- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (73301)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (72410)
Engineering and Technical:
- Engineering managers (20010)
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
- Computer network and web technicians (22220)
Healthcare:
- General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
Manufacturing:
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
- Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors (94219)
- Machine operators of other metal products (94107)
Notably, Sault Ste. Marie hasn't yet published specific priority occupations under its natural and applied sciences sector, suggesting this area may see further development throughout 2026.
Sudbury: Northern Ontario's Largest Market
As Northern Ontario's most populous city, Sudbury offers the most diverse economic opportunities while maintaining its traditional strengths in mining and natural resources. The city has added business, finance and administration as a priority sector for 2026.
Priority Sectors:
- Business, finance and administration (new, with limited consideration)
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Natural and applied sciences
- Natural resources and agriculture
Sudbury's Specialized Opportunities
Sudbury's occupation list reflects its position as a regional center for mining, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing:
Mining and Natural Resources:
- Mining engineers (21330)
- Chemical technologists and technicians (22100)
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians (22300)
Construction and Engineering:
- Construction managers (70010)
- Construction estimators (22303)
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
Healthcare:
- General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
Automotive and Heavy Equipment:
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401)
- Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators (72411)
- Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers (74203)
The city notes that business, finance and administration candidates may face limited consideration despite the sector's inclusion, suggesting applicants should focus on other priority areas for better success rates.
Timmins: Focused on Core Industries
Timmins stands out as the only Ontario RCIP community maintaining five priority sectors rather than expanding to six. The city has made strategic adjustments, adding manufacturing and utilities while removing business, finance and administration.
2026 Priority Sectors:
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Natural resources and agriculture
- Manufacturing and utilities (new addition)
Timmins' Resource-Focused Opportunities
The city's occupation priorities reflect its position as a mining and forestry center:
Mining and Resources:
- Mining engineers (21330)
- Geological and mineral technologists and technicians (22101)
- Underground mine service and support workers (84100)
- Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing (95103)
Healthcare:
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
Specialized Services:
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
- Health information management occupations (12111)
Heavy Industry:
- Heavy equipment operators (73400)
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
- Welders and related machine operators (72106)
Understanding RCIP Requirements
Landing a priority occupation is just the first step. Foreign nationals must meet specific requirements that vary based on the skill level of their job offer.
Work Experience Requirements
Your required work experience depends on your job offer's Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level:
- TEER 0 or 1 job offers: Need work experience in TEER 0-3 positions
- TEER 2 job offers: Need work experience in TEER 1-4 positions
- TEER 4 or 3 job offers: Need work experience in TEER 2-5 positions
- TEER 5 job offers: Must have experience in the exact same NOC code
All applicants need at least one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience within the past three years.
Language Proficiency Standards
Language requirements are tied directly to job skill levels:
- TEER 0 or 1 positions: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6
- TEER 2 or 3 positions: Minimum CLB 5
- TEER 4 or 5 positions: Minimum CLB 4
These requirements apply to English or French proficiency, and you'll need to take approved language tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF.
Educational Credentials
All applicants must have:
- A Canadian educational credential, OR
- Foreign educational credentials with a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
The ECA process typically takes 4-6 weeks and costs between $200-$500 depending on the assessing organization.
Settlement Funds
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family:
- 1 person: $10,507
- 2 people: $13,082
- 3 people: $16,068
- 4 people: $19,504
- 5 people: $22,115
- 6 people: $24,948
- 7 people: $27,806
- Each additional family member: $2,831
These funds must be readily available and not borrowed against property or other assets.
The Application Process
Success in the RCIP requires coordination between you, a designated employer, and the community itself. Here's how the process works:
- Secure a job offer from a designated employer in a priority occupation
- Employer submits community recommendation application on your behalf
- Community reviews and potentially recommends your application
- Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence
- Receive special work permit while PR application is processed (if eligible)
The special work permit provision is particularly valuable—it allows you to start working in Canada while your permanent residence application is under review, provided you've passed the completeness check.
Strategic Considerations for 2026
The changes across Ontario's RCIP communities reveal several important trends that smart applicants should consider:
Manufacturing Renaissance: Four of five communities now prioritize manufacturing and utilities, suggesting strong industrial job growth.
Technology Integration: Natural and applied sciences sectors are expanding, particularly in North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.
Healthcare Consistency: All five communities continue prioritizing healthcare workers, from nurses to dental assistants.
Service Sector Selectivity: Communities are becoming more selective about service industry roles, with North Bay explicitly excluding fast food and retail.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot represents one of Canada's most direct pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers willing to commit to smaller communities. With these 2026 updates, Ontario's participating regions are signaling their readiness to welcome newcomers who can contribute to long-term economic growth.
For foreign nationals like Maria, the expanded opportunities mean better chances of finding that crucial job offer from a designated employer. The key is matching your skills and experience with the right community's priorities—and acting quickly, as the best opportunities tend to move fast in Canada's competitive immigration landscape.
Your path to Canadian permanent residence might just run through one of these five Ontario communities. The question isn't whether opportunities exist—it's whether you're ready to seize them.
