Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, introduced on April 1, 2026, aims to enhance Alberta's provincial oversight of immigration by establishing employer registries and licensing for recruiters and consultants to protect temporary foreign workers.
Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, was introduced by Alberta's Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration to increase transparency and reduce mistreatment of newcomers. The bill proposes a registry for employers accessing the temporary foreign workforce, licensing requirements for immigration consultants and recruiters, and enforcement powers including fines, suspensions, and bans. It also establishes prohibited practices and a formal complaints process to address misconduct in the immigration industry. If passed, the act will come into force upon proclamation with further regulations to be developed.
- Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, was introduced on April 1, 2026.
- It will give Alberta more provincial oversight of immigration and reduce mistreatment of newcomers.
- Establishes a registry for employers wishing to access the temporary foreign workforce, requiring registration before accessing federal programs like Labour Market Impact Assessment.
- Creates a licensing system for immigration consultants and foreign worker recruiters.
- Defines prohibited practices for employers, recruiters, and consultants.
- Grants powers to investigate violations and impose administrative penalties including fines, suspensions, bans, and in severe cases, imprisonment.
- Establishes a formal complaints and review process for alleged contraventions of the act.
- Targets misconduct such as fraudulent job offers, unauthorized fee collection, and exploitation of foreign workers' vulnerabilities.
- Introduction of employer registry prior to accessing federal immigration programs.
- Licensing requirements for immigration consultants and recruiters.
- Prohibition of fraudulent and exploitative practices in immigration recruitment and employment.
- Enforcement mechanisms including fines, suspensions, bans, and potential imprisonment.
- Employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers in Alberta.
- Immigration consultants and foreign worker recruiters operating in Alberta.
- Temporary foreign workers vulnerable to exploitation.
- Employers must register with Alberta's provincial registry before accessing temporary foreign worker programs.
- Immigration consultants and recruiters must obtain licenses as per new provincial requirements.
- Bill 26 introduced on April 1, 2026.
- Will come into force upon proclamation after passing.