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IMMIGRATION PILOT
Thank you for your interest in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) in the Altona/Rhineland region. The pilot intake is now closed. Please check back regularly for updates.
If you have created an Online Candidate Profile, you can log in here to make any changes.
When we have more information on the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot, we will post that here.
Note: A change to processing Permanent Residence applications as of March 1, 2024: Candidates who receive a recommendation from our community must submit their permanent residency application before August 31, 2024.
Please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website to learn about other pathways to immigrate to Canada.
The Pilot
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-led immigration program which creates a path to permanent residence for foreign workers who want to live in our community. The pilot is designed to support economic development and strengthen our local business’s capacity to develop and retain a workforce. It also tests a unique and innovative approach to immigrant selection through community-based criteria and improve the retention of immigrants by fostering a welcoming environment.
Altona/Rhineland is located in Southern Manitoba, our region has a long history of welcoming newcomers and integrating both immigrants and refugees into the social fabric of the community.
To learn more about our great community click here to view Manitoba Central Tourism's video.
Testimonials
Elmers Manufacturing (Employer)
Elmer's Manufacturing started as a small farm business in 1978 and has grown to offering an extensive and diversified group of equipment lines for any size farming operation. The whole manufacturing process – from product design, to fabrication, paint, to assembly – is all done on site. All equipment is tested to meet the high demands and expectations of the farming industry.
The RNIP program has benefited their business offering an alternate recruitment stream to address labour shortages as their company has grown. The program has allowed them to fill many positions that would otherwise be vacant and would have held back their ability to grow. Candidates have been attracted to them through their postings on the SEED website and their participation in the RNIP program, greatly increasing their candidate pool. The program is also quicker than other immigration streams which has allowed them to meet their needs sooner than other methods.
Trevor Siemens, Human Resources Manager of Elmers Manufacturing says, “We have been able to use the program to add skill sets in welding, assembly, paint, machining, and software development. Many candidates have been able to progress in the career with us into other areas in the company or into leadership roles. We have also been able to employ spouses of candidates and utilize their skill sets they have brought with them. Through the program we have increased our diversity with candidates coming from all sides of the world bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas”.
Oreoluwa Adeleye (Employee)
The RNIP struck Oreoluwa Adeleye as an immigration pathway for skilled workers who were in demand in certain communities in Canada. As someone who has lived all his life in the city, a move to a new, more relaxed environment with all basic amenities within reach and a great job to go with was a "too good to be true" opportunity.
He began his immigration journey by creating an express entry profile, and applied to immigrate under the Federal Skilled Worker stream around April 2022 but the cut off scores for the draws were not coming down or at least not as quickly as he wanted it to. During his research on other ways to immigrate he came across the RNIP Program.
He quickly reviewed his eligibility and started applying to positions that were related to his area of expertise and experience. Within a couple of months later, he received an Offer of Employment and thereafter Community Recommendation. He was then able to apply for his Work Permit to move to Canada.
“Altona is a beautiful little town with even more beautiful people living in it. The community generally, has been very welcoming, making it very easy to call Altona home”, Oreoluwa says.
Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc. (Employer)
Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc. has been operating since October 1983. Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc. is a non-profit organization licensed by the province of Manitoba (Manitoba Early Learning & Child Care) which offers childcare and nursery school services to the town of Altona and surrounding area at two locations.
“We have found that the RNIP program has been beneficial to help us find qualified staff specific to our needs, especially when Canadian citizens have not applied. We have had one experience with the RNIP program, and it was very helpful and easy for us as an employer. The process for the applicant went smoothly as well. The staff at SEED in Altona are very knowledgeable and always knew how to answer our questions. Had the RNIP program continued, we would have had a few other employees interested in applying.” says Patricia Klassen, Director and Principle of Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc.
Patricia goes on to say that they would be happy if Altona was able to continue to provide these services in the area and eagerly await the anticipated RCIP program, if the community is chosen. They will need more specifically trained staff for their new facility to open fully.
Jong Soo Kim (Employee)
When Jong Soo Kim decided to immigrate to Canada, he came here with his career as a Welder and wanted to get PR as soon as possible. He met all the eligibility criteria for the RNIP Program, so he could easily apply to this wonderful immigration program.
After receiving community recommendation for the RNIP Program, he applied for PR and after receiving his Work Permit, he came to Canada alone and the rest of his family joined him 6 months later.
Back in Korea, he lived in a town bigger than Altona, but his family loves living here because it is peaceful, quiet, and the people are kind. He is happy that the town is not far away from a big city like Winnipeg so, they can buy anything that they need like Korean groceries, whenever they want. It is a good place to raise kids as well. His kids had not spoken a word of English when they arrived in Altona, but they learnt English very quickly and made good friends in a short time.
When Jong Soo heard that the RNIP program has ended, he was very disappointed and is hoping that it will re-start in the future. He feels that it is a very good program and will be very beneficial for other people wanting to immigrate. His entire family appreciates this wonderful immigration program which gave them the opportunity to settle down in Altona, Canada.
Shaun Basson (Employee)
Shaun Basson’s decision to use the RNIP program was motivated by a desire for a fresh start after the disruption caused by COVID-19. After losing his job and facing a prolonged period of unemployment in South Africa they considered new opportunities abroad. The RNIP program offered a pathway to a welcoming community where they could rebuild their lives and pursue their professional goals in a supportive environment. Shaun feels that the program’s structure and community support were instrumental in their successful transition to Canada.
“Immigrating from South Africa to Altona was a journey marked by both challenges and hope. After enduring significant financial strain due to the pandemic's lockdown restrictions, we made the bold decision to start over in Canada. The RNIP program played a crucial role in facilitating our move and provided us with the support we needed. The initial transition was daunting, but Altona's welcoming atmosphere made it easier. Finding employment was relatively straightforward, and both my wife and I were fortunate to secure roles that allowed us to grow and advance in our careers. Our daughter quickly adapted to her new school, making friends and excelling academically. Purchasing our first home in Canada stands as a testament to our successful transition” says Shaun.
The Altona/Rhineland community has been a source of immense support and positivity for Shaun and his family. They appreciate the town’s safety, which brings peace of mind, and the ease with which they found meaningful work. The friendliness and openness of the people here have made them feel truly welcome. The community’s willingness to help newcomers has greatly eased their integration process. The sense of belonging and the supportive environment have made Altona not just a place where they live, but a place they proudly call home.
Carl Steenkamp (Employee)
When Elmer's Manufacturing extended a job offer in 2019 (After a year of searching and nearly 300 applications and cover letters), the newly announced Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) presented an ideal pathway to permanent residency. Its streamlined process and potential for a quicker outcome made it an attractive choice for Carl Steenkamp.
“Our immigration journey was marked by the challenges and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the invaluable support of SEED, we secured work permits and temporary resident permits whilst waiting for our PR. We left for Canada with just eight suitcases as we embarked on a memorable journey, including a police-escorted bus ride from the Qatar embassy in Pretoria to a locked-down OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg” says Carl.
Altona and the Rhineland community have become their home. The friendly locals, safe environment, and excellent recreational facilities have made a lasting impression. They have experienced the kindness of their neighbors firsthand, who generously offered support during challenging times.
As a member of Elmer’s community involvement committee, Carl has contributed to various local initiatives allowing him to make a positive impact on the community. “I've also had the privilege of contributing to our community by hiring an individual through the RNIP program, making someone else's dreams become a reality and making my town their town. It's a testament to the program's effectiveness and the positive impact it can have on both newcomers and the community. On August 8, 2024, we achieved a significant milestone: Canadian citizenship. Sharing this special occasion with new friends and the supportive team at SEED made it even more memorable” he says.
Friesens Corporation (Employer)
Friesens helps others share their best story with the world through the power of print. Their story began in the small rural town of Altona, Manitoba in 1907 founded by D.W. Friesen. Since then, they have transitioned to one of the largest employee-owned companies in Canada. Their operations have expanded not only to include commercial book printing but also packaging and self-publishing solutions, catering to a diverse range of customer needs.
Pat Villarica, Newcomer Liaison / Foreign Recruitment for Friesens says that “the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program has been instrumental in our recruitment of skilled workers, significantly streamlining the immigration process and enabling us to quickly integrate new employees into Friesens. This has been crucial in addressing the community’s job shortage of skilled workers. In addition, the change in our recruitment approach has enabled us to diversify our talent pool by reaching a broader range of applicants. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, RNIP provided an alternative to international mobilization, which was not doable then. By leveraging online recruitment, we gained easy access to many applicants, enhancing our workforce diversity. The program also enables our applicants to bring their families with them, making their transition smoother, allowing them to adjust together and contributing to a more stable and satisfied workforce and community.”