Thunder Bay’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot is making it easier for local businesses to hire building maintenance workers and shippers and receivers, following an update to its priority job list on July 1, 2026. The program, run locally by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, added two new occupations while removing two others that saw less demand than expected.
The new priority jobs are general building maintenance workers and building superintendents, and shippers and receivers. At the same time, the program dropped contractors and supervisors in electrical trades and telecommunication occupations, and aircraft mechanics and inspectors. These changes reflect what Thunder Bay employers actually need right now, as the city works to attract newcomers who can fill critical workforce gaps.
Another important rule change affects how people apply. Starting immediately, the CEDC will no longer accept applications from candidates who are on maintained status, which is a kind of temporary work permission while a permit renewal is processed. Now, anyone working in Canada must have a valid work permit with at least four months left on it when they submit their application to the CEDC. This keeps the local program in step with federal processing timelines.
The pilot continues to grow. As of June 2026, more than 440 businesses in Thunder Bay have been approved to hire through the program. So far this year, the CEDC has given recommendation certificates to 205 candidates, with scores ranging from an average of 88.67 up to a high of 116. Last year, the program’s first full year, saw 831 people supported across 475 principal applicants and 356 family members.
Thunder Bay faces real labour pressures from an aging population, and the immigration pilot is one way the community is trying to keep its economy moving. By adding building maintenance and shipping jobs to the priority list, the program is directly responding to where help is needed most. Local employers looking to hire can find full details and updates on the Thunder Bay CEDC website.
