Sault among cities selected for skilled worker immigration program

Northern Ontario -- including the Sault – are among communities that are part of two new immigration pilot programs.

Northern Ontario is well represented among communities that are part of two new federal immigration pilot programs.

It has been five months since the last immigration pilot concluded. The new programs feature French and English newcomers, with a focus on economic needs.

Sault Ste. Marie is one of 18 communities in Canada selected for the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot.

The previous program ended last summer, with the new pilot tweaked for an increased focus on the economy.

“We continue to fine-tune it to make sure that it is exactly that that is used for economic growth,” said Sault MP Terry Sheehan.

“There are other avenues in which people can immigrate to Canada, but this is very specific to economic growth. And these two particular programs -- one in English and one in French -- are streamlined even more to make sure that that is the focus.”

In total, 300 spots will be available to bring newcomers to the Sault. A number of them who were on hand for Wednesday’s announcement said they are grateful for the opportunity.

“Canada was like my first choice for sure, like choosing all the countries, even like Europe and the States,” said Matheus Serra, a mechanical engineer at Soo Foundry & Machine who is from Brazil.

“I think Canada is the best one for its kind of balance. So it’s like quality of life and the people and they are welcoming to the immigrants.”

“The demand for skilled trades in the community has driven this,” said Derek Hanchuk of Soo Foundry & Machine.

“There’s a huge shortage of tradespeople and engineers across Canada. So us being able to tap into the RNIP program allowed us to grow over the past three years.”

During the five years of the program, more than 1,000 newcomers found employment in the Sault. They brought along 900 family members.

Sault Ste. Marie was among the first communities to settle people as part of the program, and they aim to be first again with the new program.

“We still have some things that are still left to get done before we’re able to get right out the gate,” said Lackeisha Currie from the City of Sault Ste. Marie Labour Force Development.

“But when it comes to us being ready, we are ready.”

Two of the six communities chosen for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot are in the north -- Sudbury and Timmins.