Changes to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will make it easier for in-demand workers and entrepreneurs to become permanent residents.
Alberta’s government is making five improvements to the AAIP that will help both businesses and international skilled workers.
“Alberta is a land of opportunity. In our province, you can find the career you want, take home a strong and regular paycheque, and still spend time with family and friends,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “Not only do people around the world want to come here, we want them to come here to be a part of our communities and our prosperity, and help Alberta continue to grow and succeed.”
AAIP is an economic immigration program that enables Alberta to nominate qualified workers in in-demand sectors for permanent residency. By improving the program, Alberta will be more competitive in attracting skilled newcomers from across the world.
Watch the press conference.
The first changes come in the form of enhancements to the Rural Entrepreneur and Rural Renewal streams. A lowered investment threshold of $100,000 for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream will open the door to additional qualified entrepreneurs who wish to establish or purchase an existing business in participating rural Alberta communities. Removing the requirement for a letter from a settlement agency under the Rural Renewal Stream will help rural communities attract, recruit and welcome newcomers based on local needs.
“Bringing more workers needed in the province will be key to continuing to grow Alberta’s economy and meeting our labour shortages,” said Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism Rajan Sawhney.
“These changes to AAIP show our commitment to making Alberta one of the best places in the world to put down roots, contribute positively to your community and be prosperous.”
Other changes will help alleviate pressures on the health care system. A new, dedicated pathway to attract medical professionals to Alberta means up to 30 per cent of Alberta’s Express Entry Stream allocation in 2023 will be reserved for health-care professionals with an Alberta job offer from a health-care sector employer and who meet the requirements to work in one of the eligible health occupations.
Two more changes will see a new phone line that directly connects AAIP staff members with clients and collaboration with the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. Participating in this pilot will help refugees with the skills and qualifications needed in Canada to immigrate through existing economic programs.
Quick facts
Alberta currently has about 100,000 job openings across the province.
Alberta is forecasting a cumulative job shortage of 33,100 workers by 2025 across several occupations, skill levels and sectors (source: Alberta’s Occupational Outlook, 2021-2030).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada sets AAIP’s annual nomination limits.
Alberta recently received an increase in nominations:
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Alberta’s government is providing an additional $4.32 million to help Ukrainian evacuees find temporary living spaces upon arrival.
This funding will provide further emergency accommodations for the next four months to supplement support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The new funds will increase the number of hotel rooms available to Ukrainians when they arrive in Alberta and cover transportation costs to hotels when evacuees arrive in Calgary and Edmonton. Additional hotel rooms will be available in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
“Alberta’s government is providing additional funding to ensure that Ukrainian evacuees have a safe place to stay when they first arrive in Alberta,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism.
“This new funding comes directly from consultations with community partners that flagged the need for increased supports for evacuees. I will continue to advocate for more funding from the federal government to ensure Ukrainians have all the supports they need to settle in Alberta.”
Since the war in Ukraine began, more than 8 million Ukrainians have fled their country. Over 28,000 have arrived in Alberta.
A number of supports have been provided to help Ukrainian newcomers successfully settle in the province. They include:
enrolment in the health system and health benefits coverage
coverage for the cost of the immigration medical exam X-ray
enrolment in K-12 schools, with funding for providing language, mental health and social supports to Ukrainian children
enrolment in licensed child-care facilities
providing access to Alberta’s child-care subsidy program
providing one-time emergency benefits to those with limited income and assets
providing eligible Ukrainian evacuees greater access to temporary financial support for basic expenses like food, clothing and shelter under the Ukrainian Evacuee Emergency Financial Supports and Benefits program
access to Alberta Supports Centres and Contact Centre for information about social services in Ukrainian or through translation services, and prioritized service at in-person centres
access to employment supports
providing mentorship support under the Alberta Immigrant Mentorship grant
waiving fees and prioritizing the assessment of permanent residency applications made by Ukrainian nationals through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
Continued funding through Budget 2023 will go toward much-needed supports in settlement, language, education, food security, social services, housing and financial benefits.
“We are elated that so many Ukrainian evacuees will be helped with this announcement. This support will go a long way to eliminate the gap that existed in immediate temporary accommodation,” said Kelly Ernst, chief program officer for the Centre for Newcomers.
“We know that it will help to mitigate unnecessary homelessness among the evacuees and help remove evacuees from shelters, the street, and from staying overnight in airports.”
Alberta’s government will continue to work with immigrant-serving and community organizations to identify where supports are most needed.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Today – and every day – we acknowledge the diverse contributions of autism to our societies, and reaffirm our commitment to build an inclusive and accessible world for everyone.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
Advanced road tests are no longer required to get a full Class 5 and Class 6 Alberta’s driver’s licence.
Effective April 1, 2023, eligible drivers currently in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program will save $154 by not having to take an advanced road test to become fully licensed.
“There are close to half a million drivers who will benefit from this,” said Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen. “These changes will help GDL drivers exit the program and apply for other classes of driver’s licences whether it’s for a semi-truck, gravel truck or bus.”
Alberta brought in the GDL program in 2003. The program placed new drivers on a 24-month probationary period for safety. This was followed by an advanced road test to exit the program and become fully licensed.
However, about 65 per cent of drivers over the past five years have not taken their advanced toad test. Neither did 99 per cent of motorcycle riders.
Watch the press conference.
“Requiring a second test costs too much, it’s a roadblack to finding jobs and has created unnecessary red tape for my generation,” said Mount Royal University student Mark Emes.
“The elimination of the Class 5 and Class 6 advanced road tests under the Graduated Driver Licensing program is opne of the most significant cost-saving and red tape reduction measures introduced for young Alberta drivers.”
About 700,000 Albertans are currently in the GDL program. Under the new rules, 500,000 drivers may be eligible to exit the program.
Drivers who have an urgent need to exit the GDL program – needing a non-GDL licence for a job, etc. – can go to a registry agent office to confirm their eligibility. If the registry agent determines a driver is eligible, they will exchange the driver’s GDL licence for a non-GDL driver’s licence free of charge.
On June 25, 2023, the Government of Alberta will implement technology that will automatically exit eligible Albertans who’ve demonstrated safe driving behaviours from GDL drivers to non-GDL status.
GDL drivers must have no suspensions or demerits within their last 12 months of probation, including zero tolerance for any alcohol and/or drug consumption.
Drivers who exhibit poor driving behaviours and incur demerits, or are ticketed for other unsafe driving offences during the last year of their probation will have their probationary period extended for an additional year.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
The month is an important opportunity to reflect on the contributions Sikh people have made to our province and country, and will continue to make as we build a stronger and more inclusive society.
Proclaimed by Parliament on April 30, 2019, this month recognizes and highlights the important contributions that Sikh people and communities have made and continue to make to Canada’s social, economic, political, and cultural heritage.
Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of India with 771,790 Sikh Canadians as of the 2021 Census. Sikh people have been calling Alberta home since the early 1900s and have helped build the province we know and love today. The province has one of the largest populations of Sikh people in the country.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.
