Looking for a change from the big city lifestyle they were used to in São Paulo, Brazil, Matheus Serra and his wife, Alice Fóes, spent years studying various immigration programs.
Their research eventually led them to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program here in Canada, which is designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers.
From there, it was up to Serra and Fóes to choose which community suited their needs the best. For them, the choice was clear.
“We searched a lot of cities and Sault Ste. Marie was the best fit for us,” said Serra. “I used to live in a big city in Brazil, so I wanted a change. I didn’t want to spend an hour driving to and from work. And there are so many things to do here in all seasons.”
Soo Foundry and Machine Ltd
ContributedOn top of that, Sault College offered a program he was interested in — Mechanical Engineering Technician. It was there Serra met Derek Hanchuk, a part time teacher in the program who is also in charge of management and new business inquiries at Soo Foundry and Machine Ltd., a fixture in the Sault Ste. Marie economy for over 50 years.
Years ago, Soo Foundry identified that the community had a shortage of trades and engineers and was looking at different routes to hire workers. In 2022, the company made their first RNIP application. Their workforce of roughly 90 people now includes nine RNIP applicants. Serra is one of them. Originally hired on for a summer position, he was later offered a permanent position and has now been employed at Soo Foundry for a year and a half.
Hanchuk says the RNIP program made the process seamless because companies are able to hire local people that are already embedded in the community.
“Through the program and the college, it attracted professionals, like Mat, to be introduced to our community and allowed us to hire them with very little risk — they’re already living here. We’re not looking at moving them across the world,” he said.
“We got to know him and we saw that he would be a great fit and it’s been great ever since. Mat also was one of the first people we brought through the RNIP and, through his self-education of the program, he’s helped a lot of our other candidates and has actually acted as a sounding board for them.”
Serra at work at Soo Foundry Machine LTD
ContributedSerra’s roots in Sault Ste. Marie continue to grow deeper. He describes the team at Soo Foundry as his “second family” and, with the relatively low cost of living in the city compared to metropolitan areas, he has already been able to purchase his first home with Fóes, who now works at a local law firm. He plays soccer with a group of friends every Tuesday and is learning how to golf.
For Hanchuk and Soo Foundry, their RNIP experience has been just as rewarding.
“It’s been great just to see how our company has embraced Mat and other international workers and made them feel welcome,” he said.
“It’s not just about filling that position in your company — it’s about growing the community. This program gives workers their permanent residency, rather than just a work permit, which puts all our candidates in a position to develop in the community, not just within our own business.”
Sault Ste. Marie businesses are still looking for skilled professionals in the skilled trades. For more information about moving to Sault Ste. Marie or the RNIP program, visit welcometossm.com.
