Rural Northern Immigration Pilot a success story

By Rob Vogt
By all accounts, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was a successful program for the Town of Claresholm.
Officials with Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism were in Claresholm last week where they were updated on the program.
Claresholm was one of 11 communities in Canada approved for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, and the only community to be selected in Alberta.
The Claresholm RNIP supported economic development by attracting newcomers who are qualified to fill vacant, full-time, permanent jobs within Claresholm and a 25-kilometre boundary, including Stavely and Granum.
Eligible employers could recruit and hire foreign-skilled workers to fill local job vacancies.
Since February 2020, Claresholm issued 100 community recommendations to candidates for employment at 40 different businesses in Claresholm.
So far this has resulted in roughly 180 newcomers welcomed to Claresholm including candidates and their families, and 74 more newcomers on their way or waiting for approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
A total of 22 countries are represented – Republic of Zambia; Philippines; India; Ukraine; China; Pakistan; Nigeria; Chile; Turkey; Brazil; Germany; Suriname; Switzerland; Republic of Korea; Croatia; Iran; United Kingdom; Mexico; Colombia; Kenya; Ghana; and Argentina.
Position filled have included sales and marketing manager; automotive service technician; hotel front desk clerk; pre-cast concrete moulder; food and beverage server; retail sales supervisor; master barber; food services supervisor; administrative assistant; pharmacy aide; cashier; project coordinator; wealth specialist; food counter attendant; tester and grader; store clerk; hotel managing supervisor; assistant store leader; long-haul truck driver; senior sales associate; production manager; office supervisor; sales associate; general office worker; store supervisor; retail salesperson; financial analyst; nurse; chef; cook; machine operator; administrative services manager; and building maintenance worker.
Based on North American Industry Classification System the key employer industries are accommodation and Food Services; retail trade; manufacturing; transportation; health care and social assistance; finance and insurance; construction; and publishing.
Several comments from newcomers were provided:
“RNIP program is very helpful for families who want to migrate in Canada.”
“The RNIP program has blessed many lives like ours. It is for me the best program that must continue. It has made us a happy family eager to grow with the community and plant our roots. We love Claresholm. Thanks to RNIP that opened the doors for us.”
“I like it. It helps families to settle down and have a chance!”
“RNIP is very helpful to people who would like to have a chance to immigrate to Canada. I hope it would still continue for the next years to come.”
“Claresholm was always welcoming and supportive and I feel that I will always have a good support. That is just how people are here. At least, I feel it that way.”
It was noted Willow Creek Immigrant Services has been a wonderful partner throughout this process. They provide newcomers with assistance with settlement and integration.
The Welcoming Claresholm Committee was created as a way to bring newcomers and community members together to create a welcoming environment and facilitate community involvement and connection.
These two organizations have been essential in the success of the RNIP program in Claresholm and the settlement and retention of newcomers.