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    • Rural Renewal Stream (RRS)

    Rural Renewal Stream – Town of Westlock


    Program Updates - July, 2025

    The Town of Westlock will reopen the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) Step 1:

    Opening: July 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM

    Closing: July 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM

    —or earlier if 10 completed Pre-Screening Forms are received.

    Portal Link:

    <CLOSED>


    Upcoming Intake Periods:

    August Intake: August 1-8, 2025

    September Intake: September 1-8, 2025


    A Pathway to Support Local Workforce Needs



    The Rural Renewal Stream (RRS), a pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), supports rural communities in attracting and retaining skilled workers when no suitable Canadian candidates are available.

    The Town of Westlock participates in this program to assist local employers only. We help eligible businesses apply for a Community Endorsement Letter, which candidates may then use to apply for permanent residency through the Province of Alberta.

    To ensure the integrity and success of the program, the Town limits the number of employer applications accepted each month. This allows staff to provide focused support, manage the complexity of the process, and help ensure strong outcomes for both businesses and endorsed candidates.

    Important: 

    This program contributes to workforce stabilization, long-term settlement, and a welcoming community for newcomers who help build a stronger Westlock.


    Employer Information

    Program Participation

    Community Endorsement Letters are issued based on a successful application review. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to local intake limits and eligibility.


    Employer Eligibility Criteria

    To qualify, employers must:

    • Operate a business physically located in the Town of Westlock
    • Hold a valid Town of Westlock business licence and be in good standing
    • Have been in active operation for at least two years
    • Employ a minimum of three full-time staff (*)
    • Generate at least $400,000 in annual revenue (*)
    • Have no Alberta Health Services or OH&S violations in the past 12 months (as applicable)
    • Meet AAIP employer eligibility or qualify for an approved exemption (*) www.alberta.ca/job-offer-and-employer-requirements


    Job Offer Requirements

    All job offers must:

    Occupational Restrictions:

    • The Town of Westlock will only consider TEER 0–3 occupations 
    • TEER 4–5 occupations may be considered only if the candidate has lived and worked in Westlock for at least 12 consecutive months

    NOTE: Employers submitting postings for TEER 4–5 roles must confirm that this condition has been met at the time of application. Find your National Occupation Classification (NOC): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html.


    Job Posting Requirements

    Employers must demonstrate a genuine effort to recruit locally before applying.

    • Post the position for at least 60 days on:
      • Canada Job Bank
      • Indeed Canada
    • Submit with application:
      • Screenshots or links showing posting dates
      • Recruitment summary (number of applicants/interviews, and reasons for not hiring locally)

     

    Fees

    • A non-refundable Employer Application Processing Fee of $350 applies
    • Payment is due within 3 business days of application submission
    • Employers must not charge candidates any fees related to job placement or endorsement. Violations will be reported.


    Annual Review & Compliance

    The Town of Westlock conducts annual program reviews. Employers who previously received endorsement may be contacted. Failure to respond may result in future ineligibility.


    RRS Application Process (Employer-Driven)

    Supporting Employers Through the Process



    This process is exclusively for employers. The Town of Westlock assists eligible businesses apply for a Community Endorsement Letter, a key step in supporting foreign workers on their path to permanent residency.

    We do not work directly with individual candidates or provide immigration advice. The 5 steps below outline the process for employers only.

     

    1.       EMPLOYER PRE‑SCREENING FORM

    The intake portal opens during the first week of each month. Once 10 forms are received, the intake will close. This form helps determine if your business is eligible to proceed. 


    2.       EMPLOYER APPLICATION SUBMISSION

    Pre-screened employers will be invited to submit a full Employer Application Form, along with all required documentation, within 7 days.


    3.       PROCESSING FEE PAYMENT

    A non-refundable $350 fee must be paid within 3 business days of submitting your application. If payment is not received in time, the application will be withdrawn and must restart at the next intake.


    4.       APPLICATION REVIEW

    The Town will complete an administrative review of your application within 2–4 weeks. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be rejected and must re-enter the process from Step 1. 


    5.       ENDORSEMENT LETTER ISSUED

    If approved, a Community Endorsement Letter will be issued to both the employer and the candidate.


    NEXT STEP: CANDIDATE APPLIES TO AAIP (Province of Alberta Role)

    Once the Endorsement Letter is received, the candidate may apply for permanent residency through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This step is handled directly by the Province of Alberta, not the Town:

    https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-eligibility.



    Candidate Information

    While the Town does not work directly with candidates, the following eligibility criteria must be met for consideration by AAIP:


    Candidate Eligibility Overview

    Candidates must:

    • Reside in Canada with a valid work permit (minimum 12 months remaining)
    • Meet education, experience, and licensing requirements
    • Meet language and settlement fund criteria
    • Have a valid job offer aligned with eligible TEER 0–5 occupations
    • Not be working in an ineligible occupation under AAIP
    • Meet AAIP Candidate Eligibility Requirements: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-eligibility


    Note: Only candidates currently residing in Canada will be considered.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can I nominate an existing employee?
    Yes — provided the employee has worked in the position for at least 60 days, holds a valid work permit, and meets all other criteria.

     

    2. Can I apply on behalf of a candidate outside Canada?
     No — the Town of Westlock only endorses candidates currently residing in Canada with a valid work permit.

     

    3. Is AAIP nomination the same as work permit renewal?
    No — candidates must still apply to IRCC for a work permit extension if needed.

     

    4. Where can I advertise my job posting?

    • Canada Job Bank
    • Indeed Canada

    5. Where can I find participating employers in the Rural Renewal Stream program? 

    The Town of Westlock does not maintain a public list of participating employers. We recommend checking Indeed Canada and the Canada Job Bank for current job postings from employers seeking workers under this program.


    Have Questions?

    If you’re an employer looking to participate in the program, please contact: 

    Email: dprizgintas@westlock.ca

     

    If you’re a candidate, please visit the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website for detailed eligibility requirements, application instructions, and contact information:

    https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-overview


    The Town of Westlock is not involved in individual immigration applications and cannot respond to candidate inquiries.