Reimagining Immigration:
Revelstoke’s Voice in a National Workforce Solution

Revelstoke, BC — October 28, 2025

The Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce is proud to share its involvement in a national coalition that is reshaping the conversation around immigration and workforce development in Canada. This summer, the coalition released a landmark policy paper titled Reimagining Immigration, led by Nancy Healey, Commissioner for Employers with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission. The paper proposes bold reforms to Canada’s immigration system, with a focus on low-skilled and year-round labour needs — a topic that has long been at the forefront of Revelstoke’s economic challenges.

The Revelstoke Chamber was invited to join this coalition at its inception, when fewer than a dozen organizations were involved. Today, the group has grown to over 90 signatories, representing a powerful cross-section of Canada’s business community, including national associations, regional chambers, and sector-specific organizations. The Chamber’s early involvement is a testament to its proactive leadership and commitment to addressing workforce retention and expansion through meaningful policy change.

“We’ve been working relentlessly to ensure Revelstoke’s voice is heard in national conversations about workforce development,” said Caroline Lachapelle, CEO of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce. “Immigration isn’t just a federal issue — it’s a local economic imperative. Our businesses need access to talent across all skill levels, and we need an immigration system that reflects the realities of rural and remote communities like ours.”

Canada’s current immigration system is not equipped to meet the needs of employers in rural and remote regions. With birth rates well below replacement levels and a shrinking domestic labour pool, employers are facing persistent vacancies in essential roles — particularly in low-skilled, manual labour, and service positions. These jobs represent over one-third of all employment in Canada, yet there is no dedicated immigration stream to fill them.

The Reimagining Immigration paper outlines the demographic and economic imperatives for reform. It highlights how employers have been forced to cobble together temporary solutions using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which is plagued by long processing times, rigid rules, and limited pathways to permanent residency. In the spring of 2025, processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the low-wage stream reached an all-time high, with employers waiting up to nine months for workers to arrive — a delay that can cripple seasonal operations and long-term planning.

“Canada’s employers are facing a demographic cliff,” said Nancy Healey. “We need smart, responsive immigration policies that recognize the full spectrum of labour market needs — from high-skilled professionals to essential low-skilled workers. The CIWP is a bold, balanced solution that restores trust in our immigration system.”

The coalition’s central recommendation is the creation of the Canadian International Workforce Program (CIWP) — a new immigration stream designed to fill persistent labour gaps in low-skilled and year-round positions. The CIWP would offer two distinct pathways:

CIWP 1, a temporary stream for seasonal and short-term low-skilled jobs.

CIWP 2, a permanent stream for year-round low-skilled jobs that Canadians and Permanent Residents consistently do not fill.

The CIWP is designed to provide certainty for employers, protection for workers, and confidence for Canadians in the integrity of the immigration system. It also proposes bilateral agreements with source countries, expanded pilot programs for rural and remote regions, and stronger enforcement against illegitimate immigration consultants.

The Revelstoke Chamber’s participation in this coalition reflects its long-standing commitment to workforce advocacy. Over the past several years, the Chamber has engaged with local employers, regional partners, and national stakeholders to elevate the conversation around immigration and labour shortages. Revelstoke’s unique position, as a small, tourism-driven community with seasonal and year-round labour needs, makes it a critical voice in shaping policies that work for all regions of Canada.

 “The CIWP is a direct response to what our members have been telling us for years. It’s time for immigration policy to reflect the realities of our economy, not just the politics of the moment.” Added Lachapelle.

As part of this national advocacy effort, the Reimagining Immigration paper and supporting letters have been communicating with key federal decision-makers; The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees.

The coalition is in ongoing communication with federal ministers whose portfolios directly impact immigration, labour, and economic development.

As immigration policy continues to evolve, the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce will remain a strong advocate for smart, responsive, and inclusive workforce solutions. The Chamber encourages local businesses to read the Reimagining Immigration paper and stay connected to their communications channels for more advocacy updates.

For more information or to access the full paper, please contact:

Caroline Lachapelle
CEO, Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce
e: executive@revelstokechamber.com
t: 250.837.5345 ext. 202