As Alberta hopes to more than double the size of its tourism economy in the next decade, the province is taking a new step to fill labour gaps by giving the industry its own dedicated immigration stream. Some critics say it could have unintended consequences.A 'Help Wanted' sign is pictured Banff, Alta., in the summer of 2022, as pedestrians walk past.
The new immigration stream is aimed at temporary foreign workers who are already working in the province's tourism industry and wish to stay in Canada permanently. "Ultimately, there is a shortage of labour in this particular area, and we were contacted and we were lobbied by the industry to do something," said Alberta Immigration Minister Muhammad Yaseen in an interview with CBC News.
"These are real people who desperately want to make Banff or make Alberta their home, and previously we've had no possible way to support them," said Fleury, who is the association's director of workforce and destination initiatives. "It actually also gives the employer a new threat, 'Do as I say or I'm not going to help you get your PR,'" said Foster, who specializes in human resources and labour relations.