Ontario's Superior East launches its FCIP

The Superior East region of Ontario has recently announced its Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).

The Superior East region lies in Northern Ontario, along the shore of Lake Superior. It comprises the communities of Chapleau, Dubreuilville, Wawa, White River, Hornepayne and Manitouwadge, together with the surrounding First Nations.

It is the last of the 6 communities taking part in the FCIP to roll out the pilot.

The FCIP is an employer-focused pathway for French-speaking foreign nationals.

Candidates must hold a job offer in a priority sector and occupation endorsed by the local economic development organisation, in addition to meeting the other criteria, in order to be eligible.

What are the Superior East region’s priority sectors for the FCIP?

• Healthcare.
• Education, law and social, community and government services.
• Sales and services.
• Trades, transport, equipment operation and related fields.
• Natural resources, agriculture and related production.

What are Superior East’s priority occupations for the FCIP?

The Superior East region has not publicly released its list of designated employers as at the time of writing.

What do priority sectors and occupations mean for the FCIP?

Only employers operating in at least one priority sector and recruiting in a priority occupation can become a designated employer for the FCIP.

Foreign nationals need a job offer from a designated employer in order to be recommended for the FCIP by the regional economic development organisation.

In addition to needing a job offer from a designated employer in a priority occupation, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate knowledge of French with a minimum score of NCLC 5 in all four skills;
• Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the past three years. This condition may be waived for international graduates who meet specific conditions;
• Hold at least a secondary school qualification (Canadian or foreign equivalent); and
• Have minimum settlement funds to support themselves and their family.

If candidates meet the criteria, their employer can submit their application to the regional economic development organisation for consideration for a recommendation.

Candidates who receive a recommendation can apply to the federal government for permanent residence. They are also eligible to apply for a work permit so they can start work while their PR application is being processed.