Beyond the numbers: Planning for a bigger, more prosperous Alberta
The federal government’s recent decision to cut the projected number of new permanent residents for 2025 and 2026 marks a dramatic shift in Canada’s immigration landscape. This change comes at a pivotal moment for Alberta. The province experienced unprecedented population growth, adding 204,677 new residents between April 2023 and April 2024 – a figure that outpaced every other province in Canada. This surge, driven by Alberta’s reputation as a low-cost, opportunity-rich jurisdiction, helped address key labour market gaps and brought new energy to our economy. However, rapid growth has also magnified existing challenges. Many Albertans are grappling with rising living costs, a housing market increasingly out of reach, and infrastructure stretched to its limits. Stories of overcrowded classrooms and difficulties accessing basic health care have become a daily reality. These challenges won’t resolve themselves – and in this new environment, the competition for skilled labour will only intensify. Against this challenging and changing immigration landscape, Alberta’s ultimate goal must be crystal clear: to become the best place in Canada to work, live and raise a family. Achieving that vision will demand more than incremental change – it requires a strategy built on ambition and a willingness to take risks. To realize this vision, Alberta must focus on three critical areas. First, livability. The recipe that attracts people to Alberta and Calgary is the same that will keep them here. Currently, Alberta enjoys a relative advantage when it comes to affordability, but with housing demand outstripping supply, that advantage is at risk of being squandered. As such, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s recent report on housing recommends reducing red tape, cutting building costs, and accelerating approvals to increase supply and ultimately improve affordability. This also means exploring other risk-sharing models, including partnering with private sources of capital to build housing that is not only affordable but includes housing options for disadvantaged groups. However, housing alone isn’t enough – robust transportation infrastructure is essential. Affordable homes disconnected from job opportunities won’t deliver the quality of life Calgarians need, turning any progress into a pyrrhic victory. Livability also depends on access to quality schools, health care, and vibrant communities. The premier’s announcement last month to increase the number of schools is an important step, however, further investment is needed in health-care infrastructure, public transit, sports and recreation, and social services to ensure Alberta’s continued appeal. Second, closing the skills gap. There’s a significant mismatch between the skills Alberta has and those it needs to remain globally competitive. One of the most effective ways to bridge this gap is by expanding, improving and innovating both training and rehiring programs. This must include increasing funding to post-secondary institutions aimed at foreign credential recognition, which is particularly acute in the health-care sector. Reducing barriers to accessing training programs will help workers adjust more effectively to the evolving economy. Additionally, incentivizing businesses to offer work-integrated learning and micro-credentialing opportunities will boost workforce adaptability and long-term productivity. The recent changes to federal immigration plans should and must not diminish Alberta’s ability to increase the number of foreign nationals it can nominate for permanent residency under the provincial nominee program. At this juncture, we know this number needs to substantially increase to meet the needs of Alberta businesses regardless of sector. Third, Alberta needs to concentrate on initiatives that will support economic growth through increased productivity. This means investing in technology, supporting the adoption of new technologies through procurement practices that enable the scaling-up of new products, and unlocking capital for small and early-stage ventures. Alberta is known for its risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit; we need mechanisms that reward the risk-takers and provide foundations for future success. There is a lot of noise that we all deal with daily. Whether it’s economic indicators, social trends, geopolitical events that impact us and yes, elections south of the border, our attention is often drawn to what we cannot control. But we can control the future of our city and province. That means ensuring that the foundational elements – health care, education, housing, and infrastructure – are not just functional, but transformative. By fostering an environment that champions innovation and embraces bold strategies, we can create a province where ambition flourishes and opportunities abound for everyone. Deborah Yedlin is president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Lisa Lalande is the CEO of Century Initiative.
