[BREAKING]: Alberta’s New Immigration Proposal Could Bring 40,000 Newcomers to Rural Communities by 2024

Kenney introduced a connection between the Rural Renewal Program and Canada’s Federal Express Entry system assuring applicants nominated through the program of the extra 600 points awarded to their ranking scores under Express Entry. He pointed out Manitoba’s success on the same initiative as something he would like to achieve in Alberta’s rural communities if elected. Furthermore, Jason Kenney mentioned that Alberta’s Immigrant Nominee Program could also work with Canada’s federal government under the community-driven Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot project

Rural Entrepreneurial Stream

United Conservative Party under its immigration policy proposed inviting immigrant entrepreneurs to small communities surrounding Alberta. Such an initiative will help create employment opportunities for the locals. Kenney stated that UCP plans to bring up a Rural Entrepreneurial Stream aimed at welcoming 500 proficient immigrant entrepreneurs yearly.

The stream will have criteria for selecting prospective entrepreneurs. For instance, they will have to meet the least investment and net worth thresholds, and oblige to manage a business aggressively in which they have a minimum of 51% ownership. Kenney said that candidates who meet the required criteria would receive an invitation to Alberta where they will work for two years on a work permit issued by the federal government. After the two years, they will be granted permanent residency only if their work was impressive and they show potential for growth and effort to start new businesses.

He continued saying that; the 4-year intake plan of 2,000 entrepreneurs would grow to approximately 8,000 newcomers investing and living in Alberta’s rural communities, the moment dependent children and spouses join their family members. The businesses would create a minimum estimate of 4,000 jobs.

Kenney finalizes by stating that, hardworking and risk-taking entrepreneurs built Alberta province over several generations of newcomers and the story should continue today