Immigrants are thriving in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, says research by Sandeep Agrawal, an urban planning professor at the University of Alberta, "whose research shows Edmonton and Calgary provided better economic opportunities to immigrants than other parts of the country."
Agrawal says 3 factors contribute to immigrant’s economic performance in Canada:
- age
- language
- timing of arrival
According to The Star, "The percentage of new immigrants living in Alberta rose from 6.9 per cent in 2001 to more than 17 per cent in 2016 — a growth spurt greater than all other Western Canadian provinces. In response, Alberta’s cities have offered access to several city-owned recreational centres and transit programs at a subsidized rate for newcomers."
Calgary immigration and refugee lawyer Evelyn Ackah agrees that Calgary community is open and welcoming to newcomers, especially immigrants who can help build a stronger economy.
There are so many opportunities for immigrants to work in Calgary and Edmonton and help grow our local economy. We need highly skilled and educated newcomers who can start businesses and employ other Albertans, and we need low-skilled workers throughout Canada in farming and blue-collar jobs.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) supports Alberta’s economic growth by attracting and retaining work-ready people to the province. It is an economic immigration program operated by the Government of Alberta and IRCC.
