Program will start accepting work permits issued in Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams
As Alberta continues to deal with wildfires throughout the province, the provincial government is helping out temporary foreign workers who have not been able to work due to the blaze.
As part of a temporary special measure, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will start accepting work permits issued by Immigration, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC) in the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams, reported Immigration.ca.
The move covers those who are affected by the wildfires and transitioning from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit because they are unable to work for their current employer.
AAIP will accept the permit issued under special measures between July 19, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2024.
Open work permits issued by IRCC under these measures will be accepted at any stage of the AAIP process within the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams, according to the report.
“Applications based on a job offer or residence in an Alberta community that has been evacuated will be held up to a maximum of one year from any Alberta community’s evacuation date,” noted the Alberta government.
“Applicants affected by an Alberta wildfire will have one year to demonstrate they meet AAIP criteria. If unemployed due to the effects of the wildfire on businesses, this includes finding a new job in an eligible occupation with an Alberta employer.”
Earlier this year, a union representing wildland firefighters in Alberta sounded the alarm about the provincial government’s preparedness for another wildfire season that could be of the same level as last year.
AAIP is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.
Just on Aug, 7, Alberta announced that the AAIP will launch a new expression of interest system on Sept. 30, 2024. As a result of this new system, AAIP will not proceed with the remaining monthly application acceptance dates for 2024.
IRCC special measures
Meanwhile, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced temporary special measures to help those directly affected by Canadian wildfires. These workers can:
- apply for free to replace citizenship, immigration or travel documents (including passports) lost, damaged or destroyed
- extend or restore your temporary resident status; transition from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit if you’re unable to work for your current employer
With some temporary workers’ permits expiring soon, IRCC said that those who cannot attend their authorized workplace due to wildfires can apply for an extension, according to a previous CBC report.
