Town of Westlock is proud to have been included as a designated community under the Rural Renewal stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This program aims to support our local businesses that struggle with attracting and retaining employees.
AAIP is a provincial economic immigration program that nominates individuals for permanent residency in Alberta. The Rural Renewal program will support economic development by attracting qualified newcomers to fill full-time, permanent positions in the Town of Westlock. Participants in the program can receive nominations for permanent residency, which will allow them to stay working, living, and contributing to our community.
Interested candidates can learn more about the process as well as view current job opportunities on our Candidate Eligibility page.
Employers interested in participating in the program can learn more about the eligibility requirements and how to apply on our Employer Eligibility page.
Please note that due to the higher than expected application volumes, applications may take a minimum of 30 days to be reviewed and approved.
Rural Renewal FAQ
I want to immigrate to Town of Westlock. How can I get an endorsement letter?
The Town of Westlock cannot issue endorsement letters directly to candidates without an eligible job offer in the community. A candidate's first step is to apply for a job directly to an eligible employer.
Prospective candidates should follow application details listed in each job posting. Once a job is offered, the employer will send a copy of the offer letter to the Town of Westlock. At that point, the Town will review eligibility and write the endorsement letter.
Do employers need to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
No. The Rural Renewal Stream gives employers the opportunity to wave LMIA requirements for job vacancies by requiring an endorsement letter from the municipality. An LMIA is not required for employers who recruit vacant positions through this program.
Is the program open to candidates already in Canada?
Yes. The Rural Renewal Stream is open to prospective candidates who are still abroad, as well as those already in Canada. Candidates in Canada must be here with valid temporary status.
What happens if the job doesn’t work out?
Both employer and employee still have rights under the Employment Standards Code.
Should the employer or employee choose to end the employment agreement, the employer must follow employment standards and regulations to terminate their employment. If employment is terminated, it is the responsibility of the employer to notify the Town of Westlock, who will then notify AAIP of the employee's change in employment status