Alberta seeks more control over provincial immigration system

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Premier Danielle Smith is pushing for more control over the provincial immigration system, advocating for Ukrainian evacuees who she believes will enhance the province’s economy and ease skilled-labour shortages.

Last week, the federal government informed the province it would only receive 9,750 spots for 2024, down from the 10,140 the federal government had originally allocated.

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“I’ve written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today to ask for an increase in our nomination spaces for this year from less than 10,000 to 20,000 with immediate effect. In addition, we’re asking for 10,000 new spaces specifically for Ukrainian evacuees,” Smith said.

Smith said the province was told it would not see an increase in the number of provincial nomination spaces through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. “This will make it difficult for our government to give Ukrainian evacuees the certainty that they need to build a future here by helping them become permanent residents.

“We don’t think that this is fair, and we’re concerned that this is one more example of the federal government interfering in our provincial jurisdiction.”

The program nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta, and must be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.

“Even though we are only 12 per cent of the population, we’re getting 23 per cent of the Ukrainian evacuees who are seeking refuge in our country — that’s the reason why we want to have a special program that allows for us to settle them,” Smith said.

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Smith said she has also asked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller for a meeting to discuss concerns around immigration strategy.

“We have the opportunities that Ukrainians are looking for, and we know that so many are still anxious to come here — whether for the short or the long term,” she said. “And we are working to ensure that they can access supports and services to help them adjust to life as needed.”

Alberta’s ‘growing economy demands’ welcoming more newcomers: Smith

When Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, Alberta immediately rallied, Smith said.

“We have welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainian evacuees seeking refuge in our province, under the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Visa program.”

CUAET is a temporary travel visa introduced by the Canadian government allowing Ukrainian nationals and their family members to travel, study and work in Canada for up to three years, or until it is safe for them to return home. Applications were closed last summer.

“As of my most recent update, we have had over 57,000 Ukrainian evacuees come to Alberta alone, and it continues to grow every day,” Smith said. “We’re proud to be a beacon of hope and safety for those fleeing war in Ukraine. And we are proud to welcome newcomers from around the world — our growing economy demands it.”

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Smith said Alberta businesses are “struggling” to fill job vacancies across various industries, and more skilled workers are needed to propel the economy forward.

“We know that Alberta is an attractive destination as well, and we want to offer long-term stability as well as certainty to all newcomers who have chosen to settle in Alberta. However, Ottawa is preventing us from being able to do that.”

Ukrainian community ‘part of the government’s DNA’

Danylo Moussienko, president of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary, said he welcomes the idea of Alberta making room for more refugees from the country.

“I think yesterday there were already several bombings in cities in the central and western parts of Ukraine,” Moussienko said. “Day to day, nobody is safe in Ukraine.”

Moussienko said Ukraine forces, especially air defence units, are trying their best, but nonetheless are always a risk. “No matter where you are in Ukraine that you can be targeted by Russian missiles, and drones, and so forth.

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“The community is part of the government’s DNA — we were part of essentially establishing Alberta — the first immigrants of Ukrainian descents were in Alberta and that was well over 130 years ago.”

Under the War Crimes Program, the RCMP launched a national structural investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.

“Allowing Ukrainians to stay, work, and contribute to society also aligns with the Ukrainians’ goal of trying to identify war crimes that have occurred in Ukraine. By being able to stay in Canada and work here, it also for the RCMP and other intelligence agencies to obtain this information,” Moussienko said.

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