Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream offers eligible workers an opportunity to immigrate to our Region as a Provincial Nominee with the formal support of the Smoky River Regional Economic Development. We will use the program to attract and retain newcomers to our Region and fill labour vacancies. The program will help employers meet their labour demands, expand our skilled workforce, and contribute to community growth. 

For more information on the Rural Renewal Stream PROCESS, click here.

Employers that wish to fill workforce gaps using the Rural Renewal Stream must meet a series of criteria and demonstrate that the job offer is a genuine offer of employment in an eligible occupation.

Employer Eligibility

Employers must be incorporated or registered by or under an act of the legislature of a province, territory, or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business within the municipal boundaries of the Smoky River Region (Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130).

Job Offers or contracts must be signed by the employee and employer and must offer:

  • work in the Smoky River Region (not in a ‘virtual’ location by telecommuting from a location outside the Region), 

  • full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week,

  • employment for 12 months or more, and

  • wages and benefits that meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.

Job Opportunities must be available to Canadians at the same pay and working conditions. Although most occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, C and D are eligible under the AAIP, there are some ineligible occupations (click here to review ineligible occupations pdf document).

Business owners/managers that meet these criteria and would like to participate in the Rural Renewal Stream should contact the Smoky River Regional Economic Development at ecdev@smokyriverregion.com  to discuss the next steps.

Applicants that wish to live and work in the Smoky River Region, must meet a series of criteria, receive a bona fide offer from an eligible employer, get endorsed by the Smoky River Region, and apply using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal.

Applicant Eligibility

Prior to applying for an employment opportunity, candidates are encouraged to review, understand and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. There are requirements for Job Experience, Education, Language, Financial Security, etc. and those that do not meet the eligibility will not progress through the program. Candidates that are currently living in Canada are only eligible if they have legal status in Canada.

Once you receive a bona fide job offer from an employer, your employer will present the job offer to the Smoky River Region Workforce Development Committee to receive the endorsement. The Committee will review the job offer and prioritize candidates for the endorsement who will most likely settle and reside in the Region successfully. 

Once a candidate is confident they meet the eligibility requirements, they may apply for employment. Employment opportunities are listed here and applications must be made directly to the employer.

Upon receiving an Endorsement of Candidate letter from the Smoky River Region Workforce Development Committee, the candidate can then submit their application through the AAIP Portal. There is a non-refundable application fee for this stream. The application will be reviewed and the candidate will be notified by the Government of Alberta if they are eligible for nomination. At the time your application is submitted, and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to work, reside, and settle in the Smoky River Region.  

Job Opportunities 

Click below to review available employment opportunities from eligible employers in the Smoky River Region.