Nova Scotia’s Pictou County launches 2026 Rural Community Immigration Pilot to address labour shortages

Nova Scotia’s Pictou County has announced the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), with employer designation applications opening on February 17, 2026. As one of only 14 selected communities in Canada, Pictou County will use this permanent residency pathway to fill critical roles in healthcare, trades, and technology across municipalities like New Glasgow and Stellarton. The program aims to align regional labour needs with international talent, offering a "community hug" of integration services to help newcomers settle and thrive. The first intake for candidate recommendations is scheduled to run from March 1–15, 2026.

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