RCIP Pathway: Thunder Bay Releases Approved Employer List
Thunder Bay, Ontario, has officially announced its list of designated employers participating in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a program designed to attract skilled foreign workers to address labor shortages in smaller Canadian communities. This initiative offers a pathway to permanent residency (PR) for individuals who secure job offers from these designated employers.
Designated Employers in Thunder Bay
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has designated a diverse group of employers across various sectors. Some of the designated employers include:
| Designated Employers | Addresses |
| 14786068 Canada Inc. Circle K | 3 Balsam Street |
| 1000661225 Ontario Inc. Circle K | A- 1500 James street South |
| Clara Industrial Services Limited | 1130 Commerce Street |
| Golden Wok | 106 May St S |
| Great Canadian Oil Change | 1160 Memorial Ave |
| Guac Mexi Grill | 570 Harbour Expressway, Unit 2 |
| Inspired Cabinetry & Granite Inc | 146 Gore St West |
| JKS Enterprises – Diamond Taxi | 113 Leith Street |
| Kasper Bus Lines | 947 Memorial Ave |
| Lakehead Roofing & Metal Cladding Ltd. | 1190 Russell Street |
| Land of Spices | 707 Memorial Avenue, Unit 1 |
| Lowerys, Limited | 540 Central Avenue |
| Mahmowenchike Family Development Centre | 150 Redwood Avenue West |
| Maltese Grocery Ltd | 301 Pearl Street |
| Northern Turf Equipment | 710B Balmoral St |
| Outlaws Burgers & Fries | 801 Central Ave |
| Scott Family Dental | 276 Park Ave |
| Shelter House | 420 George St |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | -681 & 1312 194 N. Court St -1312 – 572 Arthur St W |
| SLR Contracting Corp. | 105 May St N Unit 7 |
| Spadoni Leasing Limited | 450 Sifton Ave |
| Thundermaple Asian Food Co | 777 Memorial Ave |
| Village Market | 336 Wardrope Ave |
| Wasabi Restaurant | 538 Arthur St West |
This list represents a range of industries, including retail, food services, transportation, healthcare, and more, reflecting Thunder Bay’s commitment to addressing labor shortages across multiple sectors.
How the RCIP Works
The RCIP is an employer-driven program, meaning that foreign nationals cannot apply directly. Instead, designated employers in Thunder Bay must initiate the application process by submitting a candidate’s profile to the CEDC for community recommendation. Once approved, the candidate receives a recommendation certificate, which they can use to apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Priority Sectors and Occupations
To become a designated employer under the RCIP, businesses must operate in one of the following priority sectors:
- – Business, Finance, and Administration
- – Health Occupations
- – Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services
- – Sales and Service
- – Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operation.
Additionally, they must have a full-time, permanent position available in one of the specified priority occupations, such as Financial Advisors, Administrative Assistants, Registered Nurses, Early Childhood Educators, Cooks, and Retail Sales Supervisors.