The City of Brooks recently assisted Ebenezer Asare, a local pharmacist facing staffing challenges due to the departure of three pharmacists in six months. The pharmacists had left for bigger cities like Calgary, attracted by the increased job opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asare resorted to hiring locums at higher costs to keep his pharmacy running. Fortunately, Brooks had a unique program in place to address such situations.
Since 2022, Brooks, a city in southern Alberta with a population of about 18,000, has collaborated with the provincial government to gain more control over immigration decisions. Through this initiative, Brooks issues targeted endorsement letters to support local businesses in need of workers. Despite facing some obstacles, the program proved successful for Asare. He managed to recruit nine pharmacists from overseas, facilitated their permanent residency through the town’s endorsement letters, and established a system for their training and recertification. Such success led Asare to open a new pharmacy in Medicine Hat.
The upcoming fall referendum in Alberta will include a question on whether the province should have more authority over immigration matters, which are typically under federal jurisdiction. The program in Brooks, known as the rural renewal stream, exemplifies how Alberta currently directs immigration efforts, offering insights into its advantages and disadvantages compared to the proposed provincial control.
Notably, Canada has made significant changes to its immigration system post-pandemic, shifting focus towards attracting individuals with specific skills needed in the economy rather than solely relying on a points-based system. Alberta has aligned with this approach by targeting particular sectors like tourism and rural economies for permanent residency nominations.
Local economic development officers in Brooks and other communities shared their experiences with the rural renewal stream program. While it was initially met with overwhelming interest, leading to adjustments and limitations in some regions, the program has been instrumental in helping businesses retain their workforce and support individuals seeking permanent residency.
Despite the benefits of local control over immigration, experts caution against short-term thinking and emphasize the importance of a sustainable and strategic approach to immigration policies. As the referendum date approaches, the politicized nature of the question regarding increased provincial control over immigration raises concerns about potential anti-immigration sentiments and rhetoric.
In the midst of evolving immigration policies in Alberta and Canada, the debate over local versus federal control continues, underscoring the complexities and implications of immigration decisions for communities and the nation as a whole.