Nick Noorani Website

As government policies on immigration go, it is rare that I am impressed. From the Nova Scotia bungling to the new federal “plan” to reduce wait lines, I often see giant leaps backwards, which is why I was literally blown away by Alberta’s progressive new plan. Faced with a huge labour crunch, the fast growing economy faces a shortage of 110,000 workers in the next decade. Hector Goudreau, Alberta’s minister of employment and immigration unveiled a new family stream under their Provincial Nominee Program (now renamed Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program).

“Albertans have family members with skills and knowledge Alberta needs,” said Hector Goudreau, minister of employment and immigration. “Adding this family stream to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program will help us meet our workforce needs while creating more diverse and welcoming communities for all our families.”
A website exhorts “Tell your Auntie to pack her stethoscope,” “Ask your son to pack his arc welder” and “Tell your Uncle to pack his Digital thermometer.” And that is exactly what the program does. Stepping into a territory that has traditionally been the prerogative of the federal government, it allows Alberta residents to sponsor relatives — parents, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews — for provincial nomination.
According to Janice Schroeder, spokesperson for the Alberta ministry of employment and immigration, “We are not targeting specific occupations.” This means that the applicants do not need to have secured employment before they apply. “In the past you needed a job in hand to be eligible for the program,” said Schroeder. “This is taking a broader approach. If you have an education, skills and the support of a member in your family, you can apply for landed immigrant status.
“There are strict criteria in terms of age. The applicants must be between 21 and 45 years old,” added Schroeder. “We want them to move successfully into the workforce and be here for a long time.” This year there will be 600 applicants processed and next year this will rise to 800.
Fair enough! The most important point for me is that these immigrants will settle in much faster as they have the family support — financially and emotionally! Something that is so needed in the first few years of an immigrants life! This means that the immigrant will settle in faster and pay more taxes!
Interestingly, even though Alberta is the “birthplace” of the current federal government, they have completely divergent policies. Which one will succeed? My bet is on Alberta! Any takers?