News

City of Greater Sudbury Announces 2026 Priority Sectors and Occupations for Immigration Pilot Programs

The City of Greater Sudbury is announcing the priority sectors and occupations for the 2026 Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) programs, building on the first year of program delivery to ensure they continue to respond to local labour market needs and support economic growth.

In 2025, the RCIP and FCIP programs supported 571 principal applicants, representing a total of 1,082 individuals, including accompanying family members. Demand for both programs continues to exceed available allocations, reflecting ongoing employer needs across key sectors. The City continues to welcome new applicants and encourages eligible employers to apply.

“These programs are delivering real results by helping employers address critical labour shortages while welcoming skilled newcomers, including Francophone talent, who are choosing to build their lives in Greater Sudbury,” said Mayor Paul Lefebvre. “By targeting priority sectors and in-demand occupations, we’re taking a strategic, data-driven approach to workforce growth that strengthens both our economy and our community.”

For the 2026 RCIP program, six priority sectors have been selected: Business, Finance and Administration; Natural and Applied Sciences; Health; Education, Social, Community and Government Services; Trades and Transport; and Natural Resources and Agriculture. Priority occupations focus on high?skilled and in-demand roles, including healthcare professionals such as general practitioners, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, engineering technologists, skilled trades and mining engineers.

The 2026 FCIP priority sectors include Business, Finance and Administration; Health; Education, Social, Community and Government Services; Arts and Culture; Trades and Transport; and Natural Resources and Agriculture. Priority occupations emphasize bilingual and French?speaking talent in administration, health aide and support roles, social and community services, early childhood education, and skilled trades and agriculture.

In 2026, Greater Sudbury has been granted 525 RCIP allocations and 45 FCIP allocations, which will be distributed across eight intake periods.

The selection of the 2026 priority sectors and occupations was guided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) parameters for the pilot programs and was informed by employer consultations, labour market analysis, targeted employer surveys and first?year program data. The Community Selection Committees, supported by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC), assisted in identifying priority sectors and occupations and approving designated employers.

This work builds on the significant contributions of the GSDC during the previous Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which helped lay the foundation for the current RCIP and FCIP programs. Together with FedNor and IRCC’s ongoing investment since the inception of these pilots and the City of Greater Sudbury’s continued support, these partners have been essential in advancing the region’s newcomer attraction and workforce development goals.

More information about the RCIP and FCIP programs is available at investsudbury.ca