Premier Danielle Smith called on the federal government to tighten its “unrestricted” immigration policies Tuesday while announcing a multi-billion-dollar investment aimed at accelerating new school construction across Alberta. 

In a pre-taped televised address to the primetime slot, Smith stressed that Alberta has always “welcomed newcomers who share our values and we will continue to do so.” She said many new residents are attracted by the low taxes and robust job market across the energy, agricultural, and technology sectors. Nevertheless, growth has resulted in increased pressure on Alberta’s housing supply and its healthcare and education systems as well. Smith mentioned that these are a few of the problems that result from high levels of immigration intake by Canada. 

“The Trudeau government’s open border policies, which welcome over a million people into Canada each year, are causing significant hardship,” Smith said. With potential instability looming for Justin Trudeau’s minority government, she openly supported an administration that would enforce immigration controls similar to those when the former Conservative government ruled Canada. 

Smith mentioned of teaming with colleague premiers to appeal for returning to pragmatic immigration policies visible in Stephen Harper’s term. She added that it would offer the provinces sufficient time and resources to organize and manage the expansion in a steady, controlled and sustainable ways. It will ensure the incoming new people can align with the country values and economic requirements properly. 

Smith said in her speech that her administration will spend an additional $8.6 billion to relieve Alberta’s overcrowded education system, which will include new school developments in Redcliff and Taber and other communities. We have contacted Prairie Rose Public Schools for comment. 

According to Smith, the current budget on education is still not sufficient to support the high growth rate in kindergarten to Grade 12 schools. 

With Alberta’s population increasing more than 200,000 in the last fiscal year, Smith said the biggest barrier to progress is often school boards’ preparedness to start projects. 

For one, the government intends to smooth out the steps necessary to fund construction so the school boards won’t need to wait for the budget cycle to be opened in order to get the funds. For instance, the approved school projects at the planning and design can already be processed for the next level upon its readiness. 

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