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Canada has announced an initiative to support rural and smaller communities by fast‑tracking permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers who are already living and working in the country. Announced on May 4, 2026, the measure is designed to ease persistent labour shortages and boost local economies nationwide.
The In‑Canada Workers Initiative (introduced in Budget 2025) focuses on transitioning temporary workers who have already built strong ties to smaller and rural communities. These individuals play a key role in addressing labour shortages across essential sectors, strengthening economic stability and service delivery in local communities.
Who Is Eligible?
IRCC is prioritizing workers who:
- Have lived in smaller Canadian communities for two years or more
- Have already applied for permanent residence, through programs such as:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Community Immigration Pilots
- Caregiver Pilots
- Agri‑Food Pilot
By accelerating applications already in IRCC’s system, the government aims to deliver faster decisions without creating new application streams.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab emphasized that “this initiative is designed to promote economic growth and address labour shortages in key sectors where they are most needed—in smaller Canadian communities. By transitioning temporary residents who are already living and contributing to their communities to permanent residence, we’re providing the certainty and the stability needed to maintain and grow vibrant local economies.”
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