St-Pierre-Jolys updates 2026 priority jobs under FCIP
The village of St-Pierre-Jolys, located about 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, has released its updated list of priority sectors and occupations for 2026 under the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).
The community has added one new sector and ten new occupations to its list while removing ten that were previously targeted. The update outlines labour market needs that will guide employers in recruiting candidates through the federal pilot program.
Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through this initiative must hold a valid job offer from a designated employer and meet French language proficiency standards.
- Six priority sectors identified for 2026
- Twenty-five occupations listed as in-demand
- Ten occupations removed from the previous year’s list
- Six designated employers currently participating
- Applicants must demonstrate French proficiency and relevant work experience
Priority sectors for 2026
For 2026, St-Pierre-Jolys is targeting six priority sectors under the FCIP. These include health; education, law, and community services; sales and services; business, finance, and administration; trades and transport; and natural resources and agriculture. The latter has been added this year, marking an expansion from five sectors in 2025 to six in 2026.
The inclusion of natural resources and agricultural production reflects growing demand in related industries and increased participation from employers within those fields.
Occupations in demand
The village has identified 25 occupations as priority under the FCIP for 2026. New additions include accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200), administrative assistants (NOC 13110), cashiers (NOC 65100), janitors and caretakers (NOC 65312), nurse aides (NOC 33102), religious leaders (NOC 41302), social and community service workers (NOC 42201), specialized livestock workers (NOC 84120), and store clerks (NOC 65102).
Other returning occupations include cooks, early childhood educators, plumbers, welders, and school teachers. The list reflects employment opportunities across education, healthcare support, retail, trades, and administration.
Removed occupations
Ten occupations that were included in 2025 have been removed. These include bartenders, carpenters, construction labourers, dentists, electricians, financial advisors, physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and veterinarians. Most of these fall within the healthcare and trades categories, suggesting that labour needs in those areas may have been met through previous recruitment efforts or other immigration pathways such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Designated employers
As of January 2026, six designated employers have been approved under the St-Pierre-Jolys FCIP stream. These employers are concentrated in the education and service sectors. Listed education employers include Garderie-Jolys (Les Petites Grenouilles) and École communautaire Real-Berard – DSFM. Service-sector employers include Boulangerie St Pierre Bakery, St Pierre Subway, St Pierre Bigway, and the Assiniboine Credit Union branch in the village.
The community council noted that the list of designated employers is subject to regular updates as new businesses join the program.
Overview of the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
The FCIP is a federal initiative designed to attract French-speaking skilled workers to minority francophone communities outside Quebec. The program is employer-driven, meaning that candidates must receive a job offer from a community-designated employer before being recommended for permanent residence.
Once a job offer is secured, the employer submits a recommendation to the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM). Eligible candidates are scored on a 50-point grid based on factors such as language ability, education, work experience, job offer, and intent to settle. Each month, candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for recommendation certificates, which are valid for six months.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum French-language proficiency of level 5 on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) scale. They must also have at least one year of relevant work experience in the last three years, a Canadian or equivalent educational credential, and sufficient settlement funds. Exceptions apply for those already employed in Canada and for certain healthcare-related roles.
The required settlement funds range from $10,507 for a single applicant to $27,806 for a family of seven. Proof of funds ensures that newcomers can support themselves and their dependents during the initial settlement period.
Work permits and permanent residence
Individuals approved under the FCIP can obtain a two-year employer-specific work permit while their permanent residence applications are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Upon receiving permanent resident status, candidates may coordinate relocation and settlement arrangements with CDEM and their employers.
National context
The FCIP supports the Government of Canada’s goal of increasing francophone immigration outside Quebec to 12 percent of new permanent residents by 2029. The initiative complements existing federal and provincial programs that promote regional economic growth and community vitality through immigration.
In Manitoba, local participation in programs like the FCIP and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program continues to help address workforce needs while supporting the growth of bilingual rural communities.
Further updates on employer designations and occupational priorities are expected as St-Pierre-Jolys continues its participation in the national pilot through 2026.
For more factual coverage on Manitoba immigration pathways and program updates, explore related reports on regional nomination and community pilot initiatives.