Local immigration pilot program begins January 1st

The local five year Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program is still a couple of months away from taking effect.

While a few other areas started on Friday, the local pilot begins January 1st, 2020.

Local partners include the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce as well as those in settlement services, employment services, economic development and education centres.

Chamber Vice President Patti Carr says there’s been plenty of interest with a data base of 1,100.

“The only problem is they must meet some requirements and the occupations that are needed here. And we’re limited to the first 100 positions for year one,” she says.

Some of those requirements include having access to funds, English Skills and a full time job offer.

Carr says the area covering the project will eventually include a large geographic area that takes in Kirkland Lake, Burks Falls, West Nipissing and North Bay, but it’s smaller to start.

“We do have West Nipissing, a little bit south of North Bay, the smaller communities surrounding North Bay and the City of North Bay proper,” she says.

Clients that don’t qualify are encouraged to contact Immigration Canada for other programs.

(File photo by station staff)