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Calgary, AB, October 8, 2026 – Alberta’s ability to develop, attract, and retain workers will be an essential part of meeting the province’s future workforce needs and supporting long-term economic growth. An acute skills gap, an aging workforce, and a structural labour shortage – juxtaposed against economic momentum across the country, means Alberta’s economic growth hinges on both domestic and international talent. With 65 per cent of businesses already struggling to find labour, 51 per cent of surveyed Calgary Chamber members indicating immigrant employees are important to their operations, and in-migration expected to account for over 80 per cent of Alberta’s population growth, the Calgary Chamber is releasing key recommendations that underscore immigration being a key component to labour force stability and availability.
“As Alberta’s workforce and labour demands evolve, we need to make it easier, not harder, for businesses to access the labour they need to sustain the province’s long-term competitiveness and economic growth.” says Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Immigration is one part of a broader workforce strategy that also includes training, skill development and workforce participation. Alberta’s long-term success depends on policies that allow us to draw on all of these sources of talent.”
Calgary Chamber members rely on an immigration system that supports Alberta’s ability to attract and retain workers. A recent member survey from the Calgary Chamber, conducted by Abacus Data, indicates that the majority of businesses are not in favour of sweeping changes to Alberta’s provincial immigration policies, with 47 per cent of members indicating proposed changes to immigration policies would negatively affect their business, while only 11 per cent anticipate positive effects. 52 per cent of respondents are unsupportive of increased provincial control over immigration, and 51 per cent do not believe Alberta should limit eligibility for provincially funded programs.
Businesses are increasingly concerned that fees proposed by the Government of Alberta would be borne by them as employers, increasing the cost of labour on the heels of years of unprecedented wage growth. The survey data indicates 71 per cent of businesses with more than 50 employees consider immigrant workers important to their ability to operate effectively, and over 55 per cent of those with operations outside of Calgary concerned about the impact of reforms. Construction, agriculture and manufacturing stand to be the most challenged, exacerbated by longstanding labour shortages, limited ability to hire youth, and the inability to pass on the higher costs to customers or consumers.
Immigration’s contribution also extends beyond filling vacancies. Research prepared for the Calgary Chamber by economist Trevor Tombe estimates that immigrants paid more than $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026. Immigrants under 40 contributed approximately $1.1 billion, with a net provincial fiscal contribution of just under $1 billion after accounting for provincial family programs, workers’ compensation and social assistance.
“To build Canada and advance our economy, we will need every unit of labour in the country,” says Yedlin. “Businesses have repeatedly cited the availability of labour as a growth constraint, and now, more than ever, Alberta businesses need stable, reliable and competitive paths for labour attraction and retention.”
“Alberta is on the cusp of a period of capital investment not seen decades. This will put increased pressure on our labour force to meet the needs of companies investing in these projects,” explains Yedlin. “People moving to Alberta bring with them skills and education – and with Canada committed to deploying capital and advancing big projects – immigration is the fastest way for us to bring in skills and compete on a global level.”
Recommendations:
- Maintain access to immigration pathways that respond to Alberta’s workforce needs.
- Improve foreign credential recognition to enable qualified newcomers to resume working in their existing profession on a shorter timeline and contribute more fully to the economy.
- Continue to reduce barriers to interprovincial mobility, allowing Alberta to attract workers from across Canada.
- Continue to invest in Alberta’s domestic workforce, including skills development, training and pathways to employment.
Quick Facts
- Alberta is projected to add 1.9 million residents between 2025 and 2051, with 81 per cent of that growth expected to come from migration (62% international; 19% interprovincial).
- Immigrant workers are projected to fill 61% of the domestic labour gap in the agriculture sector by 2030.
- 51 per cent of businesses say immigrant employees are critical to their operations; including 71 per cent of businesses over 50 employees.
- 52 per cent of survey respondents unsupportive of increased provincial control over immigration. 51 per cent of respondents do not believe Alberta should limit eligibility for provincially funded programs.
- 47 per cent of Chamber members say recent or proposed changes to immigration policies would negatively affect their business, compared with 11 per cent who believe they would have a positive impact.
- Alberta has long relied on attracting talent from elsewhere: 49 per cent of Albertans were born outside the province, with 26 per cent from outside Canada and 23 per cent from elsewhere in Canada.
- Since 2000, immigration has added roughly 892,000 people to Alberta’s population, while net flows of non-permanent residents added another 231,000.
- Immigrants paid more than $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026. Immigrants under 40 contributed approximately $1.1 billion, with a net fiscal contribution of just under $1 billion after selected provincial programs are accounted for.
- Alberta has gained nearly $120 billion in taxpayer-funded education embodied in workers educated elsewhere – approximately one-quarter of provincial GDP.
- 40.6 per cent of immigrants have a bachelor’s degree or higher education, compared with 25.1 per cent of Canadian-born individuals.
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About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The Calgary Chamber exists to empower our business community to advance a prosperous Calgary and Canada. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.
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