Alberta looks to regulate temporary foreign worker registration rules

Alberta’s government is proposing changes to give it more oversight on who hires temporary foreign workers.

Jobs Minister Joseph Schow has introduced a bill that, if passed, will require businesses to register with the province before hiring foreign nationals through the federal program.

The process will effectively duplicate the work already being done by Ottawa, but Schow says it’s about prioritizing Alberta’s unique needs.

He didn’t offer details about how Alberta’s system might differ from the federal government’s criteria, and officials say those details will be worked out in the regulations if the bill passes.

He says the legislation is about taking more control over immigration to fill jobs where needed and is not about restricting the number of temporary foreign workers coming to Alberta.

The bill will also establish a licensing system for immigration consultants and foreign worker recruiters to crack down on those who take advantage of vulnerable newcomers.