THUNDER BAY - Across Northern Ontario, 12 healthcare workers can now apply for permanent residency after taking part in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program.
The workers include registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and personal support workers, all of which are part of the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission’s Rural and Northern Immigration Project.
“With the potential to give 100 community recommendations in the first year of operation, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will make a significant impact to our growing healthcare sector,” said Eric Zakrewski, CEO of Thunder Bay CEDC. “The program is designed to be job offer dependent, therefore creating a direct pathway for skilled healthcare professionals to stay and work in Thunder Bay.”
The 12 healthcare workers have been offered full time, permanent jobs in Thunder Bay, and can now apply for permanent residency with their community recommendation.
The positions are spread across two local healthcare facilities, St. Joseph’s Care Group and Southbridge Roseview.
The RNIP was designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to Thunder Bay by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to reside in the region.
Workers receive community recommendations through the program for permanent residency. So far there have been 19 out of 100 community recommendations made through the program, with healthcare workers making up more than half of the recommendations.
The RNIP program is meant to fill labour shortages in the north. One of those shortages includes the long-term care sector.
“The long term care staffing shortage has been an ongoing concern,” said Emily Lauzon, Workforce Development Officer, Thunder Bay CEDC. “Until recently, temporary workers have had few opportunities to immigrate and permanently resettle in our community. The Rural and Northern Immigration is a unique pathway that is helping retain these valuable workers while ensuring their successful integration into the community.”
