Alberta

What is an LMIA?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer may need before hiring a foreign worker. The LMIA process is designed to verify that:

• There is a genuine need for a foreign worker
• No Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the position
• Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labour market

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) issues LMIAs after reviewing employer applications.

For Job Seekers: Signs of Fraudulent Postings

Wage Red Flags

• Entry-level positions offering $35-45/hour with no experience required
• Wages significantly above market rate for the role and region
• Vague wage ranges ($30-50/hr) suggesting the posting isn\'t real

Company Red Flags

• No website, or a website with stock photos and placeholder text
• Company address is a residential building, mailbox service, or shared office
• No online presence, reviews, or business history
• Company name doe

Current Policing in Alberta

The RCMP provides policing services in Alberta under a contract with the provincial government. This agreement covers rural areas and many municipalities. The current contract runs until 2032. Calgary and Edmonton have their own municipal police services.

What is Equalization?

Equalization is a federal transfer program enshrined in the Constitution. Its purpose is to ensure "that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation" (Section 36(2), Constitution Act, 1982).

Current Tax Collection in Canada

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) collects federal income taxes and, under tax collection agreements, also collects provincial income taxes for all provinces except Quebec. Provinces set their own tax rates and brackets, but the CRA handles administration, enforcement, and collection.

What Does the Senate Do?

The Senate is the upper house of Canada's Parliament. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Senate reviews and can amend legislation passed by the House of Commons, conducts studies on policy issues, and represents regional interests.

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.

Constitutional Division of Powers

The Constitution Act, 1867 divides powers between federal and provincial governments. Provinces have exclusive jurisdiction over healthcare, education, natural resources, property and civil rights, and other matters. The federal government has jurisdiction over trade, defence, criminal law, and matters of national concern.

Areas of Overlap and Tension

Many modern issues don't fit neatly into 1867 categories:

What is the Canada Pension Plan?

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a contributory, earnings-related social insurance program. It provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to Canadians. Both employees and employers contribute a percentage of earnings, and the fund is managed by CPP Investments, one of the world's largest pension fund managers.

Overview

The Alberta Next Panel released its final report on December 19, 2024, presenting seven recommendations aimed at reshaping the province's relationship with the federal government. The panel, chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, conducted months of public town halls across Alberta and collected survey feedback from residents.

The recommendations address pension independence, provincial policing, immigration control, Senate reform, tax collection, and equalization — issues that touch on fundamental questions about the balance of power within Canadian federalism.