The City of Brooks intervened to assist Ebenezer Asare’s pharmacy after losing three pharmacists within half a year. The pharmacists relocated to urban centers like Calgary due to increased job opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. Asare had to engage locums to keep his pharmacy operational, incurring extra costs for travel and accommodation. Fortunately, Brooks had a specialized program in place to aid such situations.
Since 2022, Brooks, a municipality in southern Alberta with a population of around 18,000, has collaborated with the provincial government to gain more control over immigration decisions. Through this initiative, the city issues targeted endorsement letters to support local businesses in need of skilled workers. Despite facing some obstacles, the program proved successful for Asare. He recruited nine pharmacists from overseas, facilitated permanent residency for many through the town’s endorsement letters, and arranged training and recertification programs for them. The positive outcome led him to establish a second pharmacy in Medicine Hat.
The upcoming referendum will include a vote on granting the province more authority over immigration matters, which are typically under federal jurisdiction. Brooks’ program, known as the rural renewal stream, exemplifies Alberta’s current approach to immigration, emphasizing localized decision-making. This model could provide valuable insights into the advantages and challenges of decentralizing immigration control.
In response to a post-pandemic labor shortage, Canada revamped its immigration system, shifting focus from a points-based selection to targeting specific sectors experiencing shortages. Alberta followed suit, directing its provincial nominee program towards specific industries such as tourism and rural economies, in contrast to its previous broad nomination approach.
Brooks pioneered a nomination program for permanent residency in collaboration with neighboring towns and counties. The program has since expanded across the province, with over 4,300 nominations granted since 2022. Despite initial success, many communities scaled back their programs due to overwhelming demand and administrative challenges, opting to focus on skilled trades and professionals, ensuring fair wages and combatting fraud.
While the local control approach has benefits in addressing immediate workforce needs, some communities found it unsustainable and paused their programs. The program’s primary focus shifted towards retaining existing workers rather than solely attracting new ones. This localized approach aims to support local businesses and nurture long-term residents, providing valuable community input in the immigration process.
Asayesh, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary specializing in immigration policy, highlighted the advantages and drawbacks of Canada and Alberta’s industry-specific immigration strategies. He emphasized the need for a balanced, sustainable immigration plan to achieve long-term benefits while cautioning against short-term measures that may disrupt the immigration system’s integrity.
The October referendum in Alberta will address increased provincial control over immigration, sparking debates on immigration levels and economic priorities. Asayesh noted the political implications of the referendum question, which could shape public perception and discourse on immigration. Despite the complexities, the referendum poses crucial questions regarding immigration policy and its implications for Alberta’s future.