Alberta is asking the federal government to provide more allocations for its provincial nominee program, mostly so the province can bring in more Ukrainian refugees.
And at the same time, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith accused the federal government of interfering with the province’s ability to have some control over immigration.
“Ottawa needs to stop making decisions and enacting policies that run counter to the Constitution,” the Premier told reporters at a news conference on March 27. “And we will continue to push back when our provincial rights are interfered with.”
The dispute is over the number of provincial nominees the federal government will allow the province.
“I am very concerned with this decision given the adverse impacts it would have on our province’s economy, and ability to help Ukrainian evacuees find permanent jobs and futures in Alberta,” she wrote in the letter.
Ms. Smith told the news conference that Alberta’s economy is growing, and more workers are needed in a variety of areas.
“Our growing economy is creating a labour shortage in some of our critical industries including construction technology, health care and education,” she said. “This shortage hinders our ability to grow and reach our full economic potential—something that all of Canada has relied on for years … Ottawa limiting our ability to offer permanent residency doesn’t make much sense.”
She added although Alberta is only about 12 per cent of Canada’s population, the province has received about 23 per cent of the Ukrainian evacuees who have come to Canada. Over 57,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Alberta since the Russian invasion in 2022, she said.
“We want to welcome newcomers, including Ukrainians who have the skill sets that we need to keep our economy moving and growing,” Ms. Smith added.
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada told The Epoch Times that provinces regularly request allocation increases but that these requests are just one factor considered in determining allocations.
“Some of the other factors that are considered when determining allocations include the availability of levels space, the state of the application inventory, application processing times, and provincial and territorial immigration needs, as communicated during consultations,” said IRCC spokesperson Jeffrey MacDonald.
Mr. MacDonald added that the IRCC “does not specifically track the number of Ukrainians moving to a province or territory once they have arrived in Canada.”
Increased Allotment
In the letter to the prime minister, Ms. Smith requested that Alberta receive an allotment of 20,000 for the provincial nomination program each year in 2024, 2025, and 2026.She also requested 10,000 allotments specifically for Ukrainian evacuees.
Upwards of 93 per cent of Ukrainians that have come to Alberta are expected to stay and apply for permanent residency, Smith adds in the letter.
She added Alberta plans to push for a say in immigration similar to what Quebec gets.
“The recent unilateral notification by the federal government that our province will not receive any increases in our 2024 allocations underscores the importance of Alberta continuing to advocate for greater involvement in decisions regarding immigration policy and planning, including the selection and settlement of immigrants similar to that available in Quebec,” the premier wrote.
Ms. Smith told reporters she has also asked for a meeting with Immigration Minister Marc Miller to go over the province’s concerns.
“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, and we are working to ensure that they can access supports and services to help them adjust to life as needed,” she said.
Those supports, she said, can include emergency accommodations up to 14 days, a drivers licence, as well as language and employment support, along with health care and emergency financial supports past April 30 of this year.
