Alberta to double the Tourism and Hospitality Stream
Alberta aims to more than double its tourism economy by 2035, launching the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Tourism and Hospitality Stream for foreign hospitality workers seeking permanent residency in Canada. Despite high demand since its March 1 launch, Alberta Hospitality and Lodging Association CEO Tracy Douglas-Blowers notes a decrease in job vacancies. Eligible workers must have at least six months of full-time experience and a permanent job offer. However, concerns have been raised about the program increasing workers’ dependency on employers, potentially leading to exploitation.
Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under the CUAET will not face deportation
Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirmedthat Canada will not send back any Ukrainians who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), even if their visas expire, as long as the war with Russia continues. The minister’s assurance came during a housing strategy announcement on March 27. In the past, Miller did not dismiss the possibility of temporarily providing ongoing aid for Ukrainians in Canada. Between March 2022 and February 2023, Canada received over a million applications under the CUAET temporary residence program, of which 960,091 were approved, but only 248,726 Ukrainians moved to Canada. Surveys indicate that roughly 90% of these Ukrainians wish to stay permanently.
Canada’s immigration level maintenance is a positive step
CIBC World Markets deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal applauded Canada’s decision to maintain its immigration targets. Economists are urging Prime Minister Trudeau’s government to address the increase in temporary residents. In 2023, Canada admitted over 400,000 permanent and 700,000 temporary residents, according to a Financial Post report. The housing crisis has led economists to question the government’s plan for accommodating new immigrants. Last year, Canada set its immigration target at 500,000 for 2025 and 2026. Although this addresses housing concerns, Canada still relies on immigrants due to its aging population.
Canada’s temporary residents prefer major city suburbs
A study by the Conference Board of Canada shows a significant increase in temporary immigration to Quebec between 2016 and 2021, mainly by international students and foreign workers settling in rural and suburban regions. The growth ranged from 209 to 1,520 percent in rural areas like L’Erable, Charlevoix, and Temiscamingue. The type of temporary immigrant varied by region, with urban areas likely seeing a mix of students, workers, and their families. Data also revealed a preference for housing outside big urban centers. This trend, potentially driven by the pandemic or housing issues, is noted as Ottawa undertakes a $82-billion National Housing Strategy, which has already allocated $42.99 billion towards new and repaired housing units.
