In response to the recent wildfires affecting Alberta, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has temporarily waived work experience requirements for certain applicants. This change, effective from July 19, 2024, to November 30, 2024, is aimed at workers whose employment has been impacted by the fires, allowing them to quickly find new work opportunities.
The adjustments affect the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams of the AAIP. Workers in these streams, affected by the wildfires, can now apply for new positions using open work permits issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Typically, candidates in the Tourism and Hospitality Stream must have six consecutive months (780 hours) of work experience with their current employer, while Alberta Opportunity Stream applicants require 12 months of full-time experience in their current Alberta occupation within the last 18 months. However, under this temporary measure, these requirements are being relaxed to support workers affected by the fires.
This special provision is part of a broader series of measures aimed at helping wildfire victims, including free replacement of citizenship, immigration, and travel documents, and the extension or restoration of temporary resident status. Workers affected will have a year to secure new employment that meets the AAIP’s eligibility criteria.
The Alberta government continues to monitor the situation and may implement further updates as needed. This summer, over 100 wildfires have ravaged the region, particularly in Jasper, where hundreds of structures were lost. The wildfires have significantly disrupted the local economy, especially in the hospitality sector, which draws thousands of tourists and temporary workers every year. With plans to expand Alberta’s tourism industry by 2025, the government’s response aims to protect both businesses and employees vital to the province’s economy.