Smith Says Alberta Would Prioritize Economic Immigration Under Greater Provincial Control

EDMONTON — Sept. 21, 2026 — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government would prioritize economic immigration and seek a closer match between newcomers and the province’s labour needs if Albertans support giving the province greater control over immigration in the Oct. 19 referendum.

Speaking at a virtual roundtable with multicultural and ethnic media on Monday, Smith discussed immigration, temporary residents, economic growth and Alberta’s future within Canada as the province prepares for the referendum.

     Responding to a question from Multicultural Herald (CMHNews) about how the government would interpret a “yes” vote on immigration — whether it would mean fewer immigrants, a different mix of newcomers or greater provincial control — Smith said the details would require further consultation.

     “What I have said is we want to prioritize economic migrants,” Smith said, adding that the government has not yet determined what future immigration levels would be.

     She identified three areas that would help shape future decisions: the backlog of provincial nominee applicants seeking permanent residence, labour shortages reported by Alberta employers, and the need of research institutions to attract international students and graduates.

     Smith said one of the province’s main concerns is what she described as a “mismatch” between workers admitted through federal programs and the skills Alberta employers need. She also pointed to the number of temporary residents seeking a pathway to permanent residence through provincial nomination.

     Earlier in the roundtable, Smith said Alberta had previously been allocated 9,750 provincial nominations annually before that number was reduced, while the province at one point faced a backlog of about 34,000 people seeking permanent residence through provincial nomination. She cited Quebec’s longstanding immigration agreement with Ottawa as an example of a province having greater influence over economic immigration.

     Smith also said Alberta supported recent federal reductions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and international student intake. She argued that the province should now focus more closely on economic immigration, particularly newcomers who can fill jobs that cannot be filled by Albertans or other Canadians.

     “If they have a good paying job, and then if they want to become a permanent resident and bring their families over so everyone can build a life here, that really is the kind of pathway that we want to support,” Smith said.

     The discussion comes as Alberta prepares for an Oct. 19 provincial referendum that includes questions on immigration and temporary residents. One question asks whether Alberta should seek increased control over immigration to reduce immigration to what the government describes as “more sustainable levels,” prioritize economic migration and give Albertans first priority for new employment opportunities. Other questions address access to provincially funded services and possible health-care and education fees for people with non-permanent immigration status.

     During the roundtable, Smith stressed that Canadian citizens and permanent residents would not be affected by the proposed changes to eligibility for provincial programs. She said the measures under discussion are primarily aimed at future immigration selection and people living in Alberta with temporary status.

     Smith also highlighted employment opportunities she expects to emerge from major projects in sectors including energy, petrochemicals, aviation, logistics, technology and agri-food. She said Alberta should first seek to fill those positions with Albertans and other Canadians, while using immigration to address remaining labour gaps.

     The referendum will also put Alberta’s place in Canada before voters. Smith reiterated during the roundtable that she intends to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada, while continuing to seek greater provincial authority and changes in the province’s relationship with Ottawa. Her position is consistent with her May 21 address, when she said the government supports “a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.”

     For Alberta’s immigrant communities, Smith said immigration would continue to play an important role in the province’s growth. She described Alberta as a province “built on immigration” that still needs skilled workers, while arguing that future immigration levels and programs should be more closely aligned with labour-market demand and the province’s capacity to provide public services.

     The Oct. 19 vote will give Albertans the opportunity to weigh in on those proposed changes, while many of the details of any future immigration framework would still require further policy development and, in areas of federal jurisdiction, negotiations with Ottawa.

Reported by Lynn Wang