Alberta has temporarily lifted work experience requirements for certain applicants in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) due to the wildfires.
This temporary measure, which applies to the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Tourism and Hospitality Stream of the AAIP, is designed to help workers impacted by the wildfires quickly secure new employment.
The Government of Alberta has stated that the AAIP will now accept open work permits issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for workers in these streams who are affected by the wildfires and are looking for new job opportunities.
The eligibility adjustments are expected to be in effect from July 19, 2024, through November 30, 2024. This temporary change is designed to assist individuals at risk of job loss due to the wildfires, which have impacted areas where many of Alberta’s hotels and resorts are situated.
Employment history requirements
Prior to this adjustment, candidates in the Tourism and Hospitality stream needed to have six consecutive months of work experience (780 hours) with their current employer.
For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, candidates were required to have:
- At least 12 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the past 18 months, or
- At least 24 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Canada or abroad within the past 30 months, which could include a combination of experience in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or internationally.
Post-Graduation Work Permit holders needed a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months.
Applicants using the Rural Renewal and Express Entry pathways are unaffected by these changes, as these streams do not have specific work experience requirements.
Additional assistance for individuals impacted by the wildfires
These changes are part of a broader set of special measures introduced by IRCC to aid individuals directly impacted by the wildfires. On July 26, the Alberta government announced that those affected could:
- Apply at no cost to replace lost, damaged, or destroyed citizenship, immigration, or travel documents (including passports).
- Extend or restore their temporary resident status, or switch from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit if their current employment is disrupted.
Applicants will have one year to demonstrate they meet the AAIP criteria, including securing a new, eligible position if they are left unemployed due to the fires.
Effects of the wildfires on Alberta’s economy
This summer, Alberta has experienced over 100 wildfires in the past month. Currently, 358 out of 1,113 structures in Jasper have been destroyed, with the evacuation order only lifted on August 17, 2024.
The wildfires have significantly impacted the local economy, especially the hospitality sector in Jasper, which draws thousands of tourists and temporary workers annually. As the Alberta government aims to more than double the tourism economy by 2025, its response to the wildfires is focused on supporting the businesses and workers vital to the hospitality industry.
