The provincial Temporary Retention Pilot Program

by Michael Scott

On September 4, 2025, Manitoba introduced the Temporary Retention Pilot Program (TRRP) to address the issue of foreign workers who are running out of status with Manitoba employers. The program is a benefit to those who qualify but it is important that interested persons are aware of the employer and employee qualifications. One program does not address all persons regardless of need, but the initiative shows the province’s firm commitment to help local employers and temporary foreign workers employed in the province.

Intention of the TRRP

The new program provides a pathway for employers to keep experienced temporary workers in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, IT, healthcare, education and manufacturing. The program is intended to help the workers become permanent residents in Manitoba. The TRRP will help address labour market needs and support the long-term economic growth of the province.

Employer qualifications

Employers must be an in operation in Manitoba for at least three consecutive years. The company requires a minimum of $350,000 CDN in gross annual revenue for each of the past three years and demonstrate a 60 per cent retention rate for temporary foreign workers in the three years prior to application submission. Employees must be paid the prevailing wage rates within the province. If the occupation requires licensing or certification with a licensing body the employer must demonstrates steps taken to comply.

Employee qualifications

Workers must have 18+ months of full-time work experience in Manitoba and have a permanent job offer from a Manitoba employer. The worker must have strong ties to the province and an intention to reside long term in the province. The eligible workers must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French based on the requirement of their language requirement found in the job’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) and TEER level.

The employee must be between 21 and 45 years of age and hold a work permit with less than one year validity. The worker should be currently residing in Manitoba and meet the minimum 60 MPNP assessment points and demonstrate language competency such as CLB 4 for TEER 4 and five job offers and not eligible for other regional initiatives.

The employer must submit the request to MPNP under the new initiative. Their submission must demonstrate the employer’s efforts to fill positions with eligible Manitoba employers and their participation in TRRP is part of their efforts to hire needed workers. The program demonstrates a genuine intention of the Manitoba government to help grow the Manitoba economy and retain needed new workers in Canada. It is hoped that TRRP is only one part of the province’s effort to keep needed workers in Canada. Immigration remains an important part of economic growth in the country and the TRRP can help address this need in important sectors and for a selected group of foreign workers.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.