Alberta seeking to recruit foreign workers from United Arab Emirates, emails say
CBC
Alberta is looking to lure workers from the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) as part of a 2025 international recruitment mission, according to documents and emails shared with CBC News. It's a move that's raising concerns among labour leaders in the province.
In a Nov. 5 email, obtained by the federal NDP and shared with CBC News, an immigration partnerships advisor with Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism outlined steps for participating employers interested in joining the mission, advising of two employer information sessions scheduled for later in the month.
A separate one-page document was shared with CBC News by Local 424 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents more than 4,000 electricians in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
It outlined the international talent mission, tentatively scheduled for the end of February or for early March 2025.
The document outlines the rationale of the mission:
The Alberta government said it would support venue arrangements, promotion of job opportunities, interview logistics, informational workshops and travel recommendations for employers.
Local 424, which was organized 96 years ago, includes electricians who do construction maintenance. When it learned of the Alberta government's plans to attract skilled workers, the union sought to learn more.
"We were a little bit confused why the government would be doing such a trip," Scott Crichton, a spokesperson with the group, told CBC News.
"If there are issues related to meeting skilled labour demands, we want to be part of that conversation. We want to be involved with any consultation the government does … we have a lot of electricians ready to go to work."
In late November, they reached out to Prairies Economic Development Canada, the federal department that promotes economic growth in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, sharing concerns about the mission.
A spokesperson with Prairies Economic Development Canada forwarded the concerns to the assistant deputy minister of the immigration division of Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism.
"Scott, we would be pleased to discuss province's plans and priorities. My office will reach out to you to find a mutually convenient time," the assistant deputy minister wrote in a followup email to Crichton.
Crichton said the government told him it would meet with him to discuss on Dec. 5. However, he said the meeting was cancelled on Dec. 5 and rescheduled for Dec. 11.
Crichton added his concern was that the government would utilize the temporary foreign worker program, which allows for lower wages to be paid.
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