May 4, 2026\u2014Ottawa, Ontario\u2014\u00a0Canada continues to bring its immigration system to sustainable levels while focussing immigration on the areas where it has the greatest impact. This\u00a0includes supporting rural and remote communities that are experiencing labour shortages in key economic sectors.<\/p>\n
Today, the Honourable Lena\u00a0Metlege\u00a0Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced progress on the department\u2019s one-time In-Canada Workers Initiative, as announced in Budget\u00a02025, which accelerates the transition of up to 33,000\u00a0workers in Canada to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. These individuals have already established strong roots in their communities and are contributing to a stronger Canadian economy.<\/p>\n
As part of this initiative, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is initially accelerating eligible applications from existing inventories of work permit holders who have applied for permanent residence. These eligible workers are already supporting their smaller and rural communities\u2019 labour and economic needs, and they<\/p>\n
have applied through the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the community immigration pilots, the caregiver pilots or the Agri\u00adFood Pilot; and
\n have been living in smaller communities in Canada for 2\u00a0years or more <\/p>\n
Through these criteria, IRCC will grant permanent residence to applicants across a range of in-demand sectors in rural areas and communities with labour gaps.<\/p>\n