Designated Communities and Employers – Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) 2025

Overview of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in 2025

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How to Secure a Job Offer with an RCIP-Designated Employer in 2025

In This Article You Will Find:

  • An overview of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for 2025
  • Key eligibility requirements and how the community recommendation process works
  • Timmins, Ontario – designated employers, addresses, and contact numbers
  • Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – designated employers, addresses, and contact numbers
  • Thunder Bay, Ontario – designated employers, addresses, and contact numbers
  • A conclusion with next steps and guidance for prospective applicants

Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a 2025 federal immigration program designed to help smaller communities attract and retain skilled workers by offering a pathway to permanent residence. Under this employer-driven pilot, participating communities designate local employers who can make job offers to foreign talent for positions that cannot be filled locally.

Below we present the officially designated RCIP communities for 2025 that are currently active and accepting applications, along with their designated employers. For each community, we list the community name, employer name, employer address, and a contact phone number (where publicly available). All employer information is sourced from official community websites and verified municipal sources.

Timmins, Ontario

The city of Timmins is participating in both the Rural and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilots, with the local program managed by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation. Timmins has released a list of designated employers approved to hire under RCIP in 2025. These employers span key sectors such as health care, social services, trades, natural resources, and business. Candidates with a job offer from one of these employers in an eligible occupation may receive a community recommendation to apply for permanent residence.

Community Designated Employer Employer Address Phone
Timmins, ON St. Mary’s Gardens GP Inc. 225 Fifth Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 7C9 N/A
Timmins, ON Lasalle Retirement Residence 1355 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 1A6 N/A
Timmins, ON Timmins and District Hospital 700 Ross Ave. East, Timmins, ON P4N 8P2 705-267-2131
Timmins, ON The Walford (Timmins) 750 Tamarack St., Timmins, ON P4N 7E2 N/A
Timmins, ON Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins 85 Spruce St. North, Timmins, ON P4N 6M9 N/A
Timmins, ON La Mosaïc Montessori 707 Ross Ave. East, Timmins, ON P4N 8R2 N/A
Timmins, ON Living Space 27 Cedar St. North, Timmins, ON P4N 6H8 N/A
Timmins, ON YMCA of Northeastern Ontario 376 Poplar Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 4S4 N/A
Timmins, ON 360 Boring Services Inc. 2215 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 0A1 N/A
Timmins, ON 1887559 Ontario Inc. (Dark Enterprise) 1010 Algonquin Blvd. East, Timmins, ON P4N 7G2 N/A
Timmins, ON Boudreau Automotive Mechanic 48 Father Costello Dr., Timmins, ON P4N 6Y5 N/A
Timmins, ON Canadian Tire (Timmins) 2199 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 0A1 N/A
Timmins, ON C.J. Equipment & Sales Ltd. 952 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 1M8 N/A
Timmins, ON Crawford Mechanical Ltd. 54 Sixth Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 5L6 N/A
Timmins, ON Gardewine (Timmins) 201 Dale Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 7C4 N/A
Timmins, ON G&S Enterprises Limited 18 Pine St. South, Timmins, ON P4N 2J8 N/A
Timmins, ON Joelle’s Technical Resource & Custom Works Inc. 192 Third Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 1C6 N/A
Timmins, ON Toromont CAT (Timmins) 2680 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 1N9 N/A
Timmins, ON Provost Roofing Ltd. 4 Father Costello Dr., Timmins, ON P4N 6Y5 N/A
Timmins, ON Pepco 2051 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 0A2 N/A
Timmins, ON Agnico Eagle Mines Limited 4315 Harold Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 7C3 N/A
Timmins, ON EV Nickel Inc. 1100 Algonquin Blvd. East, Timmins, ON P4N 7G2 N/A
Timmins, ON ICS (Lacroix) Lumber Inc. 40 Vimy Ave., Timmins, ON P4N 4G5 N/A
Timmins, ON HanCon Mining Division Inc. 873 Mountjoy St. South, Timmins, ON P4N 7C5 N/A
Timmins, ON Orbit Garant Drilling Services 2385 Riverside Dr., Timmins, ON P4R 1N7 N/A
Timmins, ON Town of Kirkland Lake 3 Kirkland St. West, Kirkland Lake, ON P2N 3P4 705-567-9361
Timmins, ON Scotiabank (Timmins branch) 1 Pine St. South, Timmins, ON P4N 2J9 705-268-8030

Timmins has allocated monthly intake periods for processing employer recommendations, ensuring a steady flow of candidates throughout 2025. With its diverse range of designated employers – from healthcare facilities and social service agencies to mining companies and local businesses – Timmins is actively matching skilled newcomers to local labor needs. This community has embraced RCIP to address workforce gaps in Northern Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie is another Northern Ontario community participating in RCIP. Announced in early 2025 as part of the pilot’s launch, Sault Ste. Marie’s program is administered by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. The city has been allocated 300 RCIP spots for 2025. Sault Ste. Marie publicly released its first list of designated employers in May 2025. These employers cover priority sectors identified by the community – including education and social services, health, manufacturing/utilities, sales/service, and trades/transport. Below is the official list of designated RCIP employers in Sault Ste. Marie along with their contact details:

Community Designated Employer Employer Address Phone
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Algoma Tubes Inc. (Tenaris Canada) 547 Wallace Terrace, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6C 1L9 705-941-6656
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Child Care Algoma 148 Dacey Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5J7 705-945-8898
Sault Ste. Marie, ON China Steel Inc. 164 Industrial Park Crescent, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 5P2 705-942-3200
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill 601 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 5A1 705-450-7505
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Extendicare Maple View 650 Northern Ave. East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 6G3 705-574-3000
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Extendicare Van Daele 39 Van Daele St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4V3 705-949-7934
Sault Ste. Marie, ON F. J. Davey Home 733 Third Line East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 7C1 705-942-2204
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Gateway Casinos Sault Ste. Marie 30 Bay St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 7A6 705-759-0100
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Giovanni’s Restaurant 516 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Z9 705-942-3050
Sault Ste. Marie, ON JD Aero Technical Inc. 475 Airport Rd., Unit 13, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5K6 705-779-3977
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Meadow Park Montessori School 339 Elizabeth St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 3H3 705-253-6544
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Montana’s BBQ & Bar 89 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6 705-998-1140
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Northern Power Train 128 Black Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6J8 N/A
Sault Ste. Marie, ON OTR Engineered Solution 1667 Trunk Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6X9 705-942-8484
Sault Ste. Marie, ON ParaMed (Home Health Care) 477 Queen St. East, Suite 100, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Z5 705-759-0110
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Sault Area Hospital 750 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 0A8 705-759-3434
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Sault Ste. Marie YMCA 235 McNabb St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 1Y3 705-949-3133
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Viacore (Industrial Solutions) 815 Great Northern Rd., Unit 1, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 0B8 705-946-1840
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Norquay Engineering Ltd. 677 MacDonald Ave., Unit 270, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 1J4 705-943-0963
Sault Ste. Marie, ON RF Contracting Inc. 116 Industrial Park Cres., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 5P2 705-253-1151
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Purvis Marine Limited 1 Pim St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3G3 705-253-3038
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Total Precision Surveying 178 Drive-In Rd., Suite 1, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 6A9 705-759-6395
Sault Ste. Marie, ON Northeast Regional Security Services Ltd. 314 Wellington St. West, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1J1 705-942-0034

This robust list shows Sault Ste. Marie’s commitment to connecting local employers with international talent. From large industrial players like Tenaris Algoma Tubes and China Steel Inc., to health and community organizations and small businesses, a wide spectrum of the local economy is represented. Eligible workers who obtain jobs with any of these designated employers can be endorsed by the community for their permanent residence application.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

In Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay is participating in the RCIP to address its labor shortages. The program in Thunder Bay is coordinated by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), and it builds on the city’s successful experience with the previous pilot program. Thunder Bay’s RCIP is employer-driven, meaning candidates do not apply directly to the community; instead, local employers get designated and then submit candidate applications for community recommendation. In May 2025, Thunder Bay published a comprehensive list of designated employers approved under RCIP. This list – one of the largest among RCIP communities – features employers across sectors like retail, food services, transportation, manufacturing, education, and more. Below is the official list of Thunder Bay’s RCIP-designated employers and their addresses:

Community Designated Employer Employer Address Phone
Thunder Bay, ON 14786068 Canada Inc. (Circle K) 3 Balsam St., Thunder Bay, ON P7A 5M7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON 1000661225 Ontario Inc. (Circle K) A-1500 James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6N7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Clara Industrial Services Limited 1130 Commerce St., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6E9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Golden Wok Restaurant 106 May St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1A9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Great Canadian Oil Change 1160 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5K5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Guac Mexi Grill 570 Harbour Expy., Unit 2, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6P4 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Inspired Cabinetry & Granite Inc. 146 Gore St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3V9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON JKS Enterprises (Diamond Taxi) 113 Leith St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 2A5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Kasper Transportation (Bus Lines) 947 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A1 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Lakehead Roofing & Metal Cladding Ltd. 1190 Russell St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5N2 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Land of Spices (Grocery) 707 Memorial Ave., Unit 1, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Lowery’s Ltd. (Office Supplies) 540 Central Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6B4 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Mahmowenchike Family Dev. Centre 150 Redwood Ave. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5H1 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Maltese Grocery Ltd. 301 Pearl St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1E9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Turf Equipment 710B Balmoral St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5V3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Outlaws Burgers & Fries 801 Central Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6R9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Scott Family Dental 276 Park Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1C5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Shelter House (Emergency Shelter) 420 George St., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5Y8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Shoppers Drug Mart #681 194 Court St. North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4V7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Shoppers Drug Mart #1312 572 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON SLR Contracting Group (Unit 7) 105 May St. North, Unit 7, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3N9 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Spadoni Leasing Limited 450 Sifton Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3G2 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Thundermaple Asian Food Co. 777 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Village Market (Grocer) 336 Wardrope Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7G 2C7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Wasabi Restaurant 538 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5A8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Westfort Family Dental 124 Frederica St. East, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3V7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Ace Automotive 113 Leith St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 2A5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Bar Burrito 595 Arthur St. West, Unit 301, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Circle K (Oliver Rd. location) 394 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2G2 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Dulux Paints 784 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Edo Japan 595 Arthur St. West, Unit 201, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Firehouse Subs 905 Fort William Rd., Unit 3, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3A6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Gino’s Pizza 400 Balmoral St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5G8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Eddy Lee’s Chinese Restaurant 863 Red River Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1K3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Woking Bird Restaurant 425 Edward St. North, Unit 5, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Tim Hortons (Waterloo St.) 110 Waterloo St. North, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3Z8 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Mahon Electric Company Ltd. 635 Mountdale Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 2A6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Sushi Station 280 Algoma St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3C4 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Superior Foods 1090 Lithium Dr., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Gerry’s Driving Academy 270 Windsor St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1V4 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Canadian Lakehead Exhibition 425 Northern Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 2V7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Sovereign Dental 911 Fort William Rd., Unit 3, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3A6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON The Superior Inn Hotel & Conference Centre 555 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Tina’s Breakfast and Lunch 1170 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5K5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Nortenos Taqueria / Nortenos Cantina 698 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R8 and 235 Red River Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1A7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Safeway (Arthur St. location) 115 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5P7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Safeway (Dawson Rd. location) 1015 Dawson Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6R6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Lakehead District School Board 2135 Sills St., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5T2 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Pita Land (Thunder Bay) 611 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5R6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. 712 MacDonell St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Community Living Thunder Bay 1501 Dease St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5H3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Healing Lodge 920 Tungsten St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z6 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Swartz Fine Fashions 148 Frederica St. West, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3V7 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Shoppers Drug Mart #680 1186 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5K5 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Options Northwest (Support Services) 95 Cumberland St. North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4M3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre 1 Valhalla Inn Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6J1 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Hillcrest Neighbourhood Village Inc. 96 High St. North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 5R3 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Step By Step Child Care Centres 2118 Arthur St. East, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5P7 and 141 Bayberry Cres., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5H2 N/A
Thunder Bay, ON Enterprise Rent-A-Car (multiple locations) 727 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z6 and 1100 Arthur St. West, Thunder Bay & 100 Princess St., Thunder Bay N/A

Thunder Bay’s extensive roster of designated employers underscores the breadth of opportunities available in the community. It includes small businesses, large organizations, and even multiple locations of national chains. This diversity reflects Thunder Bay’s strategy to fill labor gaps across various industries. The city’s approach is notable for its scale – Thunder Bay has one of the longest lists of designated employers among RCIP communities. Candidates who secure jobs with any of these employers can obtain the community’s recommendation and proceed to apply for permanent residence under RCIP. Employers continue to be added on an ongoing basis as Thunder Bay’s CEDC designates more businesses to meet local economic needs.

Conclusion

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot 2025 is actively underway in communities like Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay – where dozens of employers have stepped forward to participate. These designated employers, verified and approved by local economic development authorities, are the linchpin of the RCIP program. By offering genuine job opportunities in sectors ranging from healthcare and education to manufacturing and hospitality, they enable skilled newcomers to put down roots in Canada’s rural and northern regions.

Each community’s RCIP stream is tailored to its local labor market priorities. For example, Sault Ste. Marie targets sectors like health, trades, and manufacturing, while Timmins includes natural resources and community services. Thunder Bay’s very large employer list shows a widespread demand for talent across many fields. What they all share is a commitment to welcoming immigrants to help grow their economies and communities.

Prospective applicants interested in RCIP should consult the official community websites for the most up-to-date designated employer lists and job openings. As an RCIC, I advise candidates to verify any job offer against the published designated employer list to ensure it is valid for RCIP. Only offers from the employers designated by the community will qualify. Once a candidate has a job offer in hand, the employer and community will guide them through the recommendation process, after which a federal permanent residence application can be submitted.

The RCIP is a promising new pathway that builds on the success of past rural pilots (replacing the now-discontinued RNIP) to continue spreading the benefits of immigration to smaller communities. With the above communities already accepting applications in 2025, and others preparing to launch soon, RCIP represents a significant opportunity for both Canadian employers in rural areas and skilled immigrants seeking to make Canada their home. Each successful match under RCIP is a win‑win – addressing critical job vacancies while giving newcomers a chance to establish themselves in welcoming communities across the country.

Sources:

Azadeh Haidari-Garmash

VisaVio Inc.
Read More About the Author

About the Author

Azadeh Haidari-Garmash is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) registered with a number #R710392. She has assisted immigrants from around the world in realizing their dreams to live and prosper in Canada. Known for her quality-driven immigration services, she is wrapped with deep and broad Canadian immigration knowledge.

Being an immigrant herself and knowing what other immigrants can go through, she understands that immigration can solve rising labor shortages. As a result, Azadeh has over 10 years of experience in helping a large number of people immigrating to Canada. Whether you are a student, skilled worker, or entrepreneur, she can assist you with cruising the toughest segments of the immigration process seamlessly.

Through her extensive training and education, she has built the right foundation to succeed in the immigration area. With her consistent desire to help as many people as she can, she has successfully built and grown her Immigration Consulting company – VisaVio Inc. She plays a vital role in the organization to assure client satisfaction.

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