The North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce is seeking both the support of North Bay City Council and some funding for a new immigration pilot.
Council’s support of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce’s application during Tuesday's regular meeting would represent a "pre-commitment to the 2025 Budget in the amount of $12,500," according to the report generated by the City of North Bay's Economic Development recommending the move.
On March 6, Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new pilot project entitled the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). It is replacing the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). In 2019, in a joint Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development venture, North Bay was selected as one of 11 communities from across Canada to host the RNIP pilot program. With the launch of the new program, the same organizations are again teaming up to apply to serve as the host of one of the 15 national RCIPs outside of Quebec.
Interested communities must submit a complete pilot program plan, and confirmation of funding by July 2 in order to be considered. Last month, the IRCC launched details of the community application process. Economic Development reports its staff has been working with the North Bay District Chamber of Commerce to explore and develop a submission to host a new five-year pilot.
According to the report, the Chamber of Commerce is "estimating the cost of delivering a new five-year pilot program at approximately $1.25 million and is requesting the financial contribution of the City of North Bay toward the new RCIP program to be approximately $62,500 spread out of over the term of the five-year pilot.
"Should North Bay be selected as one of the nation's 15 RCIP communities, and awarded related program funding from FedNor, the City’s contribution would
equate to approximately $12,500 per year and represents 50 per cent of the required 10 per cent total project contribution made by the applicant. The remaining
50 per cent of the required applicant contribution will be attributed to the Chamber and other partner communities," per the report.
Pilot program deemed a success
The report states the original RNIP program was developed in 2019–20 and officially launched in August 2020 with the Chamber serving as the program lead for North Bay and area. Economic Development remained involved in the program "participating on the Evaluation Review Committee, helping to promote the program to employers and newcomers, partnering to undertake specific pilot project deliverables and by providing financial support of the program. Over the course of the RNIP project, Economic Development has invested $63,100 into the program, through approved annual operating budgets/initiatives, to help the Chamber leverage a total program valued at $836,500.
"Since inception, the program has received 4,113 applications, processed 638 community recommendations supporting individuals and their families, representing 844 newcomers to our community. As of May 2024, 294 of those individuals who received a recommendation have received their permanent residency status, with the remaining in the queue for processing by IRCC. The pilot program has resulted in participation from 288 employers who have successfully been able to fill 638 positions filling all of the spaces allotted to North Bay under the program in the past couple of years. As part of the program, these 288 employers have completed the Diversity At Work Nipissing training program provided by Yes Employment Services."
