Federal funding expands Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot in North Okanagan and beyond

Photo: Contributed

More than $480,000 is being invested to expand a program that has strong success in the North Okanagan.

In 2020, the federal government launched the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot to help smaller communities attract newcomers.

In Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan delivers the program, which has been widely hailed a success.

The RNIP has helped fill shortages of skilled workers in a variety of sectors, including health care, trades, childcare, and hospitality.

Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, this week announced $485,410 in PacifiCan funding for the program's already announced expansion to the Shuswap and continued operation in the North Okanagan and West Kootenays.

The investment will support training, marketing and outreach activities to match local businesses with skilled foreign workers.

Funding will also help newcomers access settlement services and mentoring opportunities in their new communities. To date, CFNO has helped hundreds of local businesses meet their workforce needs, while supporting newcomers as they establish roots in the region.

The announcement builds on the recent opening of PacifiCan offices in Kelowna and Cranbrook.

With new officers living and providing service locally, PacifiCan is more accessible to all communities in the region.