Overview of St-Pierre-Jolys FCIP Updates
St-Pierre-Jolys, a village in Manitoba situated 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, has announced its updated priority sectors and occupations for 2026 under the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). This initiative targets skilled foreign workers who can fill labour market gaps while contributing to the growth of francophone communities outside Quebec.
For 2026, the community has added one new sector and 10 new occupations to its priority list, while removing 10 occupations that were previously in demand. Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through this pathway must secure a qualifying job offer from a designated employer and demonstrate minimum French-language proficiency.
Priority Sectors for 2026
St-Pierre-Jolys is focusing on six key sectors this year, listed in order of priority:
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and services
- Health
- Business, finance and administration
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Natural resources, agriculture and related production (new for 2026)
The addition of the natural resources and agriculture sector reflects growing employer interest and the need to address labour shortages in these occupations.
In-Demand Occupations
The community has identified 25 priority occupations for 2026 under the FCIP. New additions to the list include:
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
- Auto body collision technicians (NOC 72411)
- Bakers (NOC 63202)
- Customer services representatives – financial institutions (NOC 64400)
- Insurance agents and brokers (NOC 63100)
- Janitors and heavy-duty cleaners (NOC 65312)
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services (NOC 33109)
- Plumbers (NOC 72300)
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
- Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)
These additions complement occupations that were also prioritized in 2025, including early childhood educators, elementary school teachers, cooks, and social workers, among others.
Removed Occupations
Ten occupations have been removed from the 2026 priority list, predominantly from the health and trades sectors. These include registered nurses, general practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, electricians, and carpenters. This shift suggests that previous labour market gaps may have been successfully addressed through the FCIP and other immigration pathways such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry.
Designated Employers
As of January 21, 2026, six designated employers have been published across two priority sectors. These include educational institutions like École communautaire Real-Berard and childcare facilities, as well as service-sector businesses such as Boulangerie St Pierre Bakery and Assiniboine Credit Union. The list of designated employers will be updated regularly as more organizations participate in the program.
How the FCIP Works
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven pathway designed to increase immigration to francophone-minority communities outside Quebec. Candidates must secure a job offer from a designated employer, who then submits a recommendation application to the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM).
Eligible candidates enter an assessment pool and must score at least 50 points across five factors: French-language ability, English-language ability, education, work experience, and age. The highest-ranking candidates receive monthly invitations, and successful applicants receive a recommendation certificate valid for six months to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Candidates can also obtain a special two-year work permit to begin employment while their PR application is being processed. The federal government aims to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec to 12% of all new permanent residents by 2029.
Conclusion
St-Pierre-Jolys presents an excellent opportunity for francophone workers in targeted occupations to establish themselves in Manitoba and obtain Canadian permanent residence. With updated priority sectors and occupations for 2026, this community-driven pathway continues to address local labour market needs while strengthening francophone communities across Canada. If you work in one of the priority occupations and meet the French-language requirements, now is the time to assess your eligibility for the FCIP.
For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com