The number of immigrants who will be admitted under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program will increase over the next three years. (Photo: Paulbradyphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Alberta to admit more economic immigrants

Feb 24, 2023 | 10:05 AM

EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta says it plans to allow more skilled labourers from other parts of the world to settle in Alberta over the next few years.

The province says in a news release that the federal government is increasing the number of nominations that can be approved under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

Minister of Trade, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Rajan Sawhney says Alberta will be able to admit 9,750 people under the AAIP in 2023, 10,140 in 2024, and 10,849 in 2025. This represents a rise from the 6,500 immigrants who were approved to enter the province in 2022.

The AAIP supports communities across Alberta in attracting immigrants to live, work, and settle in rural communities. Nominees under the program, as well as their spouse and children, are encouraged to apply for permanent residency.

Sawhney says Albertans will benefit from the increase in economic immigrants.

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“Alberta needs more immigrants. We need them to help grow our communities, address labour shortages in key sectors and help continue Alberta’s economic success,” says Sawhney. “I have lobbied the federal government for many months to receive an increase in Alberta’s nomination numbers, and I am pleased to see that they have listened to my request.”

Both the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream of the AAIP will see increased numbers over the next three years.

The Rural Renewal Stream allows qualified candidates who have a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in a designated community. The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is meant for immigrants who want to start a business in a rural Alberta community or buy an existing business.

A news release from the province states that, while 120,000 jobs have been added in Alberta since the start of 2021, there are still approximately 74,140 job openings and a forecasted shortage of 33,100 workers by 2025 across many occupations, skill levels, and sectors.

Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions Kaycee Madu says attracting immigrants will be key in addressing labour shortages across the province.

“Increasing the number of nomination certificates for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is welcome news,” says Madu. “Not only do newcomers bring new skills, ideas and vision to Alberta’s workforce, they also help us create jobs, diversify the economy and strengthen the workforce in all sectors of the economy.”

A few communities in southern Alberta have already been approved to accept applicants under the AAIP, including Claresholm, Taber, and Coaldale.

Town of Coaldale Director of Growth and Investment Cameron Mills told LNN earlier this month that access to skilled labour has long been a challenge for many smaller communities in the region.

“Everyone from smaller restaurants to larger manufacturing operations are telling us that attracting and retaining workers has been a serious challenge over the last several years,” says Mills.

More details on the AAIP are available on the Government of Alberta website.