How Canadian Immigration Currently Works
Immigration is a shared jurisdiction under the Canadian Constitution. The federal government controls most entry pathways, including Express Entry, family reunification, and refugee admissions. Provinces participate through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which allow them to select a portion of economic immigrants.
The Quebec Model
Quebec operates its own immigration selection system under the Canada-Quebec Accord (1991). Quebec sets its own selection criteria, conducts its own assessments, and issues Certificats de sélection du Québec (CSQs). However, the federal government still handles admissibility screening, security checks, and final visa issuance.
What Alberta Seeks
The Alberta Next Panel recommends exploring greater provincial control over immigration selection, similar to Quebec's model. This could mean:
- Setting Alberta-specific selection criteria
- Controlling the number and type of immigrants selected for the province
- Designing settlement and integration programs
Key Considerations
Arguments for More Provincial Control
- Labour Market Fit: The province could better match immigration to specific workforce needs.
- Regional Distribution: Alberta could direct newcomers to areas most needing population growth.
- Accountability: Provincial governments are closer to communities affected by immigration.
Arguments for Federal Control
- National Standards: Consistent admissions criteria across the country.
- Security: Federal agencies handle security and admissibility screening.
- Mobility Rights: Immigrants are free to move between provinces regardless of where they were selected.
- Administrative Efficiency: One national system may be more efficient than 13 provincial/territorial systems.
Questions to Consider
- How should immigration be balanced between federal and provincial priorities?
- Should provinces be able to require immigrants to remain in the selecting province?
- What criteria should Alberta prioritize in immigrant selection?