Schow calling for ‘transparency’ from feds on immigration

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

As immigration continues to be a talking point across the country, the Alberta government is hoping to see more concrete numbers from the federal government. Cardston-Siksika MLA and minister of jobs, cconomy, trade and immigration, Joseph Schow, says it’s an issue ever present in his riding, and he’s hoping to get some answers. 

Looking at impacts to housing, education, health care, and infrastructure, Schow says these pressures come from mismanagement. A big concern, he indicates, is the fact that provinces are not being heard in regard to their concerns on immigration.

“I’m hearing from constituents in Cardston-Siksika, and I’m hearing from Albertans broadly, that there are incredible pressures on our systems. Health care, education, infrastructure, and even home building — a lot of it has to do with mismanagement from the federal government on the immigration system. We feel that the provinces are not being consulted well enough. The feedback we’re giving is not being taken into consideration as they set target numbers for the upcoming year when it comes to the provincial nomination programs,” explained Schow. “We want the federal government to listen to the provinces more, to listen to Alberta more as to what we need and to help support growing the economy when it comes to immigration — so it’s more economically focused.”

In regard to what they want to see moving forward, number one goal is transparency. They want to see the exact numbers of immigrants coming in legally and illegally. According to canada.ca, the government is aiming for 395,000 permanent residents, 305,900 new students, and 367,750 new temporary workers in 2025. In the first half, immigration.ca states 207,650 permanent residents have been admitted.

“First and foremost, we want to see transparency. We want real numbers that the federal government can publish when it comes to illegal immigrants within Canada. We want to know who’s coming into Canada, who’s leaving and who’s staying beyond their visas. It’s important to know that because in November every year, the federal government sets Provincial Nominee Program targets for the following year, and those numbers need to take into consideration temporary residents and illegal immigrants within Canada,” added Schow. “I don’t believe they’re doing that, and we believe that the number of illegal immigrants can be as high as 500,000. That’s a very significant number, and the pressures are being felt right here in Alberta. We’re calling on the federal government to be more transparent with the immigration system and to release those numbers. We’re also calling on them to take more consideration of the feedback they are getting from Alberta and other provinces.”

Schow explained he’s been making the rounds trying to hold the federal government’s feet to the fire. He says it’s all about trying to relieve the pressures building up on Alberta’s systems.

“I submitted my letter to the federal government last week and did an interview with The National Post. Just continuing to let (Cardston-Siksika constituents) know that we are engaging the federal government on this, and we’re calling on them to take more feedback from the provinces when it comes to economic immigration. We have a very rich future ahead of us, and Alberta is the best place to live. It’s going to require us to be more involved with jobs and skills training, and ensuring that we have more youth being employed in the province,” he stated.

Schow also wanted to explain that the Government of Alberta isn’t against immigration — just the fact that they want the federal government to stick to the numbers they publish.

“We have immigrants coming into Canada, and Alberta particularly, who are going to help build this province and support economic development, but it has to be done in collaboration with the provincial government. Right now, I don’t believe that our feedback is being considered. I don’t believe it’s a transparent process, and I think the federal government has completely lost control of immigration,” Schow said.

While he didn’t want to divulge any conversations with other provinces, he did say the feedback they have been getting has been consistent. Schow explained that collaboration has been a major talking point.

“I wouldn’t want to wade into that water because I don’t want to speak for (other provinces), but I think it’s important to note that everybody across Canada is feeling the pressures of a mismanaged immigration system. Because of that, we would like there to be more collaboration with provinces. The federal government is ultimately in charge of immigration, but we feel that we have a role to play as a province. We know what’s best for us and the kind of immigration that we want coming in, and we think it should be economically focused,” explained Schow.

While Schow has been hearing from constituents, he also wants more feedback. If anyone in Cardston-Siksika wants to voice their opinion, he invited them to contact his office. 

“As the local MLA, I would say continue to email and contact my office about your concerns. I hear it all the time about the pressures on our health care system, pressures on education, and on the ability to build homes fast enough. There is a dream, you know, the Alberta dream, to come to our province and have a great job, support your family, and even have a little money left over to take a vacation. If we don’t manage immigration properly at the federal level, it’s going to make life even more difficult and more expensive for Albertans,” said Schow. “My job is to represent them to make sure their issues and the things that they’re concerned most about are heard. I would encourage my constituents to contact my office with the frustrations they’re having, and I will continue to make this point very clear. I give a lot of credit to the premier (Danielle Smith) for her leadership on this as well. She’s made it clear that we have to get better control over Canada’s immigration system.”

You can contact MLA Schow’s office at Cardston.Siksika@assembly.ab.ca.