The Rural Renewal Immigration Program prioritizes AINP (Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program) applications from foreign nationals who are committed to living and working in smaller communities throughout Alberta. As per Jason Kenney, 32,000 newcomers could come into Alberta through this program. Just like the Morden Community Initiative program of Manitoba which the Rural Renewal program is based on, it has been reported that 20% of all new immigrants settle in rural communities in Manitoba. Alberta aims to significantly grow the population of rural communities in Alberta and this program would be an excellent pathway for that to happen.  

Newcomers are who interested to work and live in Alberta’s rural communities can apply through the Alberta Express Entry, a stream of the AINP. The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the province of Alberta to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates that currently have profiles in the federal Express Entry system. The basic requirements are to have a minimum CRS score of 300 and an active federal Express Entry profile. First, a Notification of Interest letter is sent to the applicant with an active application in the Express Entry pool, essentially an invitation. Once the notification of interest and supporting documentation is submitted, a nomination may be issued from the province.   

A nomination from the province of Alberta results in an additional 600 points being added to a candidate’s express entry CRS score. With the current draw cutoffs on or federal Express Entry falling around 471, a provincially nominated candidate is guaranteed to have at least 900 points. Therefore, it is a mathematical certainty that the Alberta Express Entry Nominee candidate will, on the next Express Entry draw, receive an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence to Canada. The processing time for obtaining Permanent Residence through the Express Entry system is less than 6 months. 

This is certainly needed, as the profile of newcomer that would be settling in rural Alberta as a worker is younger than the aging population in these small communities. There is a huge demand for skilled workers in these underserved rural areas. The challenge in finding young, eager, skilled local talent is real. A policy which helps create and inject settled permanent residents into these communities is a welcome immigration policy for these small towns that so desperately require it. 

This program would be great for rural Alberta because it can increase the population and eventually renew rural areas. With newcomers starting up their business in rural areas, they directly bring capital into these areas and improve the economy of the town. In addition, highly skilled and brilliant newcomers who start a business or invest in a business will bring skills to rural areas and residents of these communities will be able to learn and master skills from these new arrival entrepreneurs who in due course will train and guide future generations. Moreover, when newcomers start a life in rural areas, there will be more people to support each other’s businesses.  

Now, why rural Alberta? Newcomers to Canada often overlook rural Alberta as a place to start a business or place to live due to the draw of large city life. But there has been an increase in numbers of people deciding to settle in rural Alberta. There is great healthcare in rural Alberta as patients to doctor relationships are usually strong and trusting as everyone is part of the community.  You will have a chance to spend more time with your doctor during your visits and will probably be able to remain with the same doctor if not for your whole life, then for a long time. With this kind of relationship, it naturally results in better quality care. It’s shorter waiting times in rural Alberta. It only takes about 45 minutes to see an emergency doctor, while it takes about 4-6 hours in the city which is tedious and time consuming. In rural Alberta, there are specialty services such as obstetrics and cardiac rehabilitation services, so you don’t have to travel far to see a specialist. In terms of education, the class sizes are small, which means that your child will get the individual attention that they need to be outstanding and will likely know every teacher and student at the school, which makes it more intimate. As a result, students from rural Alberta can earn higher test scores based on the quality foundation education that they receive.  

Furthermore, cost of property is lower in rural Alberta. You can own a bigger plot of land with fewer restrictions on what you can do with it. If you are an animal-lover, rural Alberta is the place to be because it has a stong animal-loving community and people in rural Alberta can own many pets if they are given much tender loving care. Rural Alberta also has a proficient senior care system. This is a great thing for young newcomers who want their parents to come and live with them in rural Alberta knowing that there are enough facilities where parents can acquire professional care. Last but certainly not least, rural Alberta has safe communities, and this is typically one of the most important factors to consider when moving to a new place. The royal Canadian Mounted Police and local bylaw enforcement help to create a safe environment in rural Alberta, so it is a familiar scene to have children walk to school or ride on their bicycles to nearby stores unsupervised. With this responsibility enforced among community members to look out for one another, crime rates are lower than urban areas. Knowing that your neighbours and other community members are looking out for safety and your family will make you feel protected and secure.  

We believe that every province in Canada and Western nation in the world will soon want to model their economic immigration policy after Alberta’s brilliant upcoming provincial immigration programs. We wish to thank the powerful team in the Alberta government that is committed to working for the success of the people of Alberta and for newcomers to this great province.

  • The Honourable Muhammad Yaseen – Parliamentary Secretary of Immigration 
  • The Honourable Jason Copping – Minister of Labour and Immigration  
  • Shawn Mcleod – Deputy Minister Labour and Immigration 
  • Janet McEachern – Chief of Staff of Minister of Labour and Immigration 
  • Percy Cummins – Executive Director, Evidence, Polic and Governance 
  • Lori Zaparniuk – Director, Labour Market Evidence 
  • Simrat Slade – Senior Economist, Government of Alberta 
  • Piotr Weclaw – Director, Department of Labour 
  • Lenore Neudorf – Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour, Alberta 
  • The Honourable Jason Kenney – Premier and Champion of Alberta 

Contact Us

For more information on Rural Entrepreneur Immigration Program,contact us.

Sean G McKinsley, Managing Partner & Founder
RCIC & ICCRC Member R529731
Office: +1-587-400-3350
Fax: +1-587-400-4515
WhatsApp: +1-587-703-9805
Email: sean.mckinsley@civs.ca

Nikola Misina, Partner
RCIC & ICCRC Member R524218
Office: +1-587-400-3350
Fax: +1-587-400-4515
WhatsApp: +1-587-893-7427
Email: nikola.misina@civs.ca

Steve Paolasini, Senior  National Vice-President, B. Eng
Office: +1-587-400-3350
Fax: +1-587-400-4515
WhatsApp: +1-587-703-9805
Email: steve.paolasini@civs.ca