There are many different ways in which newcomers can come to Canada. Some people choose to immigrate to Canada to stay in Canada permanently, while others choose to come to Canada on a temporary basis. There are many options for obtaining permanent residence in Canada, including family sponsorships, the Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry, and more. Some lesser-known, but still important, pathways to permanent residence also exist through the various pilot programs that the Government of Canada has created.

Canada’s Immigration Pilot Programs

Canada has a variety of pilot programs that are tailored to different immigration circumstances and needs. These programs aim to attract skilled workers, support regional growth, and address labour shortages in specific sectors. Some key pilot programs are outlined in detail below:

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was launched in 2019 and seeks to attract skilled workers to smaller communities across Canada. This program is designed to support economic development in rural areas by providing a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who wish to live and work in one of the participating communities. To qualify, applicants must have a job offer from an employer in one of these communities and meet specific work experience, language, and education requirements.

A new program, called the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, will launch in fall 2024. That pilot is modelled on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and will focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers in minority French communities. In the announcement for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicated that they are working to establish the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot as a permanent program.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot was introduced to address labour shortages in the agri-food sector. This pilot targets experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific agri-food industries and occupations, such as meat processing, mushroom production, and greenhouse crop production. To be eligible, candidates must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer in Canada and meet work experience, language, and education requirements. The pilot is open until May 14, 2025, so there is plenty of time for people who are interested to apply.

Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

The Canadian Government created the Economic Mobility Pilot Pathway to help skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs and help support Canadian labour market needs. The program combines refugee resettlement with economic immigration, allowing for the humanitarian and financial goals of immigration to be accomplished through one integrated program. This Pathway gives Canadian employers access to a new source of potential employees who can fill existing job openings. To be eligible, refugees must be a Contention or country of asylum refugee, be outside of Canada and their country of persecution, be unable to stay in the country they are currently in, and be able to show that they are a refugee. They also must have sufficient language skills, education, job training or work experience, and a job offer from a Canadian employer for full-time work.

New Pilot Programs for Caregivers

On June 3, 2024, some new immigration pilot programs related to caregivers were announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This timely news came prior to the closure of two closely related pilot programs – the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot – in the middle of June 2024. The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot were five year pilot programs that let qualified caregivers and their family members come to Canada in order to become Canadian permanent residents.

These programs are set to be replaced with new and enhanced caregiver pilot programs. The new programs are yet to be named, but they will provide home care workers with permanent residence upon arrival in Canada. Those who are part of the new programs will also be allowed to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.

Under the expiring pilot programs, around 5,700 caregivers and their families came to Canada as permanent residents since the programs were launched. The number of permanent residents expected to be admitted is set to increase. According to the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada expects to admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents from 2024 to 2026.

Eligibility for the new Caregiver Pilot Programs

Individuals who are interested in coming to Canada as permanent residents and working in the home care field can apply for the new pilot programs if they meet certain eligibility criteria that have been established by the Canadian Government. In order for potential applicants to apply for the new pilot programs, they must:

• attain a minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB);
• hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
• have recent and relevant work experience; and
• receive an offer for a full-time home care job.

It is possible there will be more eligibility criteria to take into account when the pilot programs are officially launched. However, if there are new eligibility criteria, this information, as well as the details on how to apply, will be available to prospective applications before their launch.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Help with Canadian Immigration

Garson Immigration Law is a Toronto-based law firm that helps people find solutions for their immigration needs, such as obtaining permanent residence in Canada and overcoming inadmissibility. Our immigration focus allows us to understand the unique concerns and obstacles faced by our clients. Our skilled immigration lawyers have extensive expertise in all immigration matters, including work permits, student visas, and US immigration from Canada. If you have questions about an immigration application or want to learn more about your immigration options, contact us online or call us at 416-321-2860.