Filipinos in Alberta worried over changes in province's immigration program | TFC News Alberta
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00:01.0
Filipinos in Alberta are worried that they might no longer have the chance to apply for permanent residence through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program or AAIP.
00:12.9
Mid-February this year, the Alberta government paused the intake of applications in one of its programs, namely the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
00:22.0
This stream allows temporary foreign workers and international students to obtain nomination from the province and apply for permanent residence.
00:32.3
It is pretty frustrating and upsetting just because I've been here for like almost six years and then I'm so close to getting my permanent residency and then I hear that it's stopped.
00:44.6
On March 1, Alberta introduced a new program specific for temporary foreign workers employed in tourism.
00:52.0
But because of the high volume of applications to the program, it was closed on the same day it opened.
00:59.7
Actually, I am so sad. It's because I am qualified for that two-stream, but suddenly, the Alberta government, they keep that on hold and my worries are there.
01:22.0
I just hope that this stream will gonna be open because not only me is qualified for this stream.
01:32.0
The AAIP is the province economic program to attract and retain talented workers and entrepreneurs.
01:40.0
It operates in coordination with the federal government to address challenges and gaps in the province labor market by nominating skilled, experienced individuals to fill job vacancies.
01:52.0
The federal government originally allocated over 10,000 spots to Alberta for 2024.
01:56.1
But just last week it informed the province that it would only be able to accommodate 9,750.
02:03.7
Alberta's Premier Daniel Smith has since asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
02:07.6
for an increase in allocations in the number of nominations.
02:12.3
It's not going to be cost-effective until last week, so we must act immediately.
02:16.3
Wait for it, next time.
02:20.4
over the provincial immigration system.
02:24.0
Although she welcomes newcomers from any culture,
02:27.4
she is advocating for Ukrainian evacuees
02:29.9
who she believes will enhance the province's economy
02:33.0
and ease labor shortages.
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Smith is asking for additional 10,000 allocations
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specifically for Ukrainian evacuees.
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And we are proud to welcome newcomers from around the world.
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Our growing economy demands it.
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Across our province, businesses are struggling
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to fill up job vacancies.
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Across industries, we need more skilled workers
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to continue to propel our economy forward.
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Alberta's Premier has also sought a meeting
02:59.7
with Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller
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to discuss concerns on their immigration strategy.
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The implementation of the program in other provinces varies.
03:10.4
In Nova Scotia, the acceptance of applicants
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was also put to a hold,
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while in Ontario,
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the allocations were increased to 21,500,
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up by 5,000 from last year.
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the AEIP also changed its fees for applications,
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expressions of interest, and requests.
03:33.3
Marjorie Carmona Newman, EBS-CBN News, Edmonton, Alberta.
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Thank you for watching!
