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Boosting economic recovery through immigration

Two new immigration streams will help rural communities grow by attracting skilled newcomers.
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Eligible rural communities interested in receiving newcomers must apply to become a designated community. During the first year of this program, a limited number of communities will be selected to participate as a designated community. (BLACKPRESS FILE PHOT))

Two new immigration streams will help rural communities grow by attracting skilled newcomers.

At the inaugural Premier’s Summit on Fairness for Newcomers, Premier Jason Kenney announced the launch of the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. These streams will encourage skilled and talented professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world to settle in rural communities.

“One of the biggest challenges facing rural communities is population decline, which has caused a succession crisis when a retiring business owner cannot find an interested buyer. We are helping revitalize rural Alberta by removing barriers and setting the building blocks to welcome job-creating immigration to local communities and supporting economic growth throughout the province,” said Jason Kenney, Premier in a press release on Feb. 17.

With many Alberta rural communities struggling to find qualified professionals to meet their current and future workforce needs, the Rural Renewal Stream will help attract, welcome and retain newcomers who will contribute their skills and talent to grow local economies.

Eligible rural communities interested in receiving newcomers must apply to become a designated community. During the first year of this program, a limited number of communities will be selected to participate as a designated community.

Communities, represented by an economic development or similar organization, with approved applications will be able to begin working with employers and settlement providing organizations to attract newcomers and help them settle permanently in the community.

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream will attract immigrant entrepreneurs to rural Alberta communities to launch businesses that will create jobs and help stimulate economic recovery and growth.

The rural immigration streams are part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Strategy (AAIS) which is a strategy to help attract global skills and talent to Alberta, diversify the provincial economy and get Albertans back to work.

It will help create a smart, fast-moving immigration policy and help reclaim Alberta’s leadership in Canada when it comes to attracting and welcoming newcomers to our province.

“We need to make our province the destination of choice for skilled newcomers and entrepreneurs. Identifying ways to encourage more skilled newcomers to come to Alberta is the first step to increasing our competitiveness, growing our economy and restoring the Alberta Advantage,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of labour and immigration.

Entrepreneurs interested in starting or buying a business in rural Alberta will be able to visit the communities so they can see where they will live and operate their business, and for the community to meet the entrepreneur and assess the business idea.

As part of the strategy, the Government of Alberta is renaming the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) to help promote Alberta’s reputation and benefits as an attractive place when choosing where to work and raise a family.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, high levels of over-qualification among newcomers can limit the economic contributions and career prospects of immigrants. Immigrants often fill many essential roles in unregulated, lower-paid professions due to difficulties in getting their qualifications recognized.

“Immigration is crucial for the economic growth of Alberta’s rural communities and the expansion of local workforces. Immigration promotes innovation and enriches the vibrancy and diversity of rural Alberta. The Rural Development Network is pleased to see the Government of Alberta supporting rural development and opportunities for newcomers through the launch of these two new rural immigration streams,” said Jayde Roche, director, Rural Immigration, Rural Development Network.

To help address these challenges, the strategy includes the implementation of the Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan and key actions to enhance the participation of newcomers in Alberta’s economy and communities – from pre-arrival to settlement and integration.

“Many newcomers bring diverse and innovative skills, education, experience and business ideas to Alberta, only to face unnecessary roadblocks that lead them to work below their skill level. Today’s announcement lets us take advantage of untapped talent by making it easier for them to put their ideas to work in communities throughout Alberta,” said Muhammad Yaseen, Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Information about the new immigration programs, including eligibility and how to apply, is available at alberta.ca.