On Friday, November 15, the Manitoba government unveiled a three-year pilot program aimed at addressing labor market shortages in the rural west-central region.
The West Central Immigration Initiative will involve collaboration between the province, seven rural municipalities, and Gambler First Nation.
The West-Central Immigration Initiative includes the following partners:
- Municipality of Russell-Binscarth
- Rural Municipality of Yellowhead
- Municipality of Roblin
- Rural Municipality of Ellice-Archie
- Rural Municipality of Riding Mountain West
- Rossburn Municipality
- Prairie View Municipality
- Gambler First Nation
A survey of 85 employers in the region estimates a need for approximately 240-300 workers over the next three years to fill roles created by new jobs, replacements, retirements, and overall growth.
Manitoba's Minister of Labour and Immigration, Malaya Marcelino, stated that the pilot aims to address labor market challenges, support succession planning, and promote economic and community development.
Marcelino highlighted the initiative’s role in "responding to local needs for skilled workers in rural Manitoba and ensuring Manitoba continues to be a welcoming province."
This pilot builds on Manitoba's existing regional immigration programs in Winkler-Stanley, Morden, and the Parkland region. The minister also emphasized that the province will continue collaborating with other regional and rural municipalities to develop similar programs.
What is an Immigration Pilot?
Immigration pilots are programs launched by Canada to address specific labor shortages in certain regions or sectors and to support economic growth in those areas.
These programs are typically developed through collaboration among various levels of government, including the federal government, provincial authorities, and local communities.
Eligibility criteria for immigration pilots vary. Some pilots require a job offer, while others focus on factors like work experience, language skills, and educational background.
For instance, the Agri-Food Pilot is an ongoing program designed to meet labor needs in Canada’s agri-food sector.
Immigration pilots are usually time-limited initiatives. However, successful pilots may transition into permanent immigration programs. For example, the Atlantic Immigration Program replaced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot in 2022.
Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada
While they share certain similarities, immigration pilots differ from Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
PNPs enable Canada’s provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on their specific economic and labor market needs.
Unlike immigration pilots, PNPs are not time-limited. They typically have a broader focus, addressing the needs of the entire province rather than targeting specific industries or local communities.
