Rural Renewal Stream
Rural Renewal Stream Closed for 2026
The Innisfail Rural Renewal Stream is now closed for the remainder of 2026. The province allocated Innisfail with 44 spaces for 2026. We have now exceeded that allocation, with 46 submissions currently in the system.
The program will remain closed until the province provides a new allocation for 2027. Please note that 2026 numbers will count toward the 2027 allocation, so the program may not automatically reopen once the 2027 allocation is announced (likely towards the end of February 2027). Further updates will be provided when more information is available.
The Innisfail Rural Renewal Stream program supports eligible local businesses seeking to retain temporary foreign workers in their workplaces. When the program is accepting applications, new intakes are scheduled for the first Monday of each month, with a limit of four applications per month. Applications received before the monthly submission date will not be accepted.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) has implemented new measures and restrictions affecting all participating RRS communities across Alberta. Most notably, the total number of RRS spaces province-wide has been reduced to 1,000.
As a result, the Town of Innisfail has only 44 spaces for 2026 intake. These 44 spaces include all previously submitted Expressions of Interest that have already been invited to submit a full application.
In addition, please email immigration@innisfail.ca as soon as possible if:
- Your supported candidate is no longer employed by your business
- You wish to withdraw or retract your letter of support for any reason
- Your candidate submitted an Expression of Interest but has not received an invitation to submit a full application
Businesses are encouraged to monitor this page for further updates, as more information will be shared as it becomes available.
Please review the information below carefully, as several additional program details have changed.
Important changes continue to be added or changed by the province without input from the municipalities. These changes to the Innisfail Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) can affect business eligibility. In addition, since January 2026, the Town of Innisfail has imposed a minimum living wage for applicants of $20.65 per hour. Since early 2025, Innisfail has aligned the wage requirement in its RRS application with the Alberta Living Wage Network. This increase reflects rising costs for essentials such as food, childcare, housing, and transportation, and supports the goal of ensuring workers can live with dignity and maintain a reasonable standard of living in our community.
In addition, the Province of Alberta has introduced a new requirement. All businesses that have already submitted RRS applications to the province must notify the Town of Innisfail (in writing or by email) within one year of the date on the Letter of Support that they wish to continue to support the candidate. If this confirmation is not received, the application will automatically expire at the one-year mark unless the province receives a request from the Town to extend it.
Employers are solely responsible for notifying the Town of any changes to an employee’s work status or home address. The Town does not monitor approaching deadlines.
Please note that this provincial change does not mean that the current lengthy processing timelines will be reduced to a timeline within one year.
All submissions and any Rural Renewal Stream communication MUST be communicated via email. Correspondence with other Town of Innisfail addresses will not be responded to.
Attention Employers & Employees
Welcome to The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Rural Renewal Stream (RSS) home page.
Please note the Town of Innisfail will only work with interested Employers. Provincial government program guidelines do not permit applications directly from interested workers. Inquiries from interested workers or questions pertaining to information that is available online will not receive a response.
Under no circumstances are Employers or Employment Agencies allowed to charge employees fees for a job or employment offer. All costs incurred for the RRS Program are the sole responsibility of the Employer and cannot be recovered in any way from the eligible candidate. Employers who charge employees fees of any kind will be reported to the Government of Alberta and may be barred from future AAIP applications in Innisfail.
RRS foreign workers are requested NOT to phone, email or come in person to the Innisfail Town Office. The province stipulates that municipal government staff ONLY engage with Innisfail employers for the purposes of this program. Town staff are not equipped to deal with the large volume of inquiries, requests, and explanations of individual circumstances that we receive daily. Town staff cannot assist you beyond directing you to the Rural Renewal Stream page on the Town of Innisfail website. Persistence and harassment of Town staff will not change these regulations and will not be tolerated. Please respect this RRS requirements.
Please note that the Town of Innisfail has made some significant changes to the administration of its program. Please regularly refer to this page to review current and future changes.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
Rural Renewal Stream (AAIP-RRS) is designed to assist Innisfail Employers address ongoing labour gaps, thus supporting the economic development and growth of rural communities in Alberta. RRS addresses ongoing labour shortages by supporting Employers in the attraction and retention of skilled workers.
As an active participant of this program, the Town of Innisfail can assist Innisfail businesses address their ongoing labour shortages. Designed for business, the program allows Employers unable to find Canadians or Permanent Residents to fill job vacancies, to recruit and hire foreign job seekers and apply for community endorsement.
Before becoming eligible for nomination, candidates must possess the necessary skills to address identified job shortages. The candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to living in Innisfail and legally working for their Innisfail employer. In particular, the candidate must work a minimum of 90 days in the role the employer intends to fill as a part of their RRS application. While direct applications from eligible foreign nationals are not accepted, candidates are encouraged to speak with their Innisfail Employer to discuss nomination.
The program facilitates long-term settlement and integration into the community, offering candidates the opportunity to apply for permanent residence status along with their families.
By participating in the RRS the Town of Innisfail demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing labour shortages and ensuring that local businesses have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for newcomers, helping them integrate into our community, and contributing to the overall prosperity of Innisfail’s businesses and residents.
Employers: Key Information
To qualify for the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS), employers must meet the following criteria:
AAIP Employer Requirements
The Employer must demonstrate to AAIP’s satisfaction that they meet the criteria outlined on the AAIP website at Employer Requirements. The Employer must also:
- Possess an active Town of Innisfail Business Licence.
- Have a clean record with no violations documented by Alberta Health Services in the last 12 months (applies to Restaurant and Food Services only).
- Not have any Occupational Health & Safety complaints in the last 12 months.
Job Offer Requirements
The foreign national candidate must be an existing employee of the applicant business, with a valid temporary work visa. This employee must be employed in the role cited in the application for a minimum of ninety (90) days to ensure they pass any necessary probation periods and to ensure they wish to continue living and working in Innisfail. The job offer or employment contract to the foreign national candidate must be bona-fide, signed, and offer:
- Continuous paid work under an employer-employee relationship
- Full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Employment for 12 months or more
- A minimum starting wage of C$20.65 per hour plus benefits that comply with provincial and federal employment laws (based on the living wage for the Innisfail area in 2025)
- Wages and benefits must meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your eligible candidate’s occupation across all industries in Alberta
- The complete list of job-offer requirements is available on the AAIP website at Job Offer Requirements
Ineligible Occupations and Job Offers
The AAIP defines certain occupations, and job offers as ineligible for the Rural Renewal Stream. For more information on ineligible job offers visit the AAIP website at Ineligible Applicants Based on Job Offer. A complete list of ineligible occupations is available on the AAIP website at Ineligible Occupations.
Job Posting Criteria
Before submitting a RRS Application, Employers hiring to fill a vacant position must advertise an active job posting for a minimum of sixty (60) days on the following platforms:
- Canada Job Bank
- Indeed Canada
- Mountain View Careers
- A minimum of at least one primary Canadian/ Albertan platform that caters to the specific target industry sector and audiences
This ensures an Employer has made a reasonable effort to recruit and hire a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. As part of the RRS application process, Employers are required to:
- Submit documentation from each of these five posting platforms to confirm the date and frequency the job was posted and the total number of candidates that applied.
- Provide the number of candidates interviewed and the reason(s) the employer did not find the interviewees suitable.
Residency Requirements
The Town of Innisfail will only endorse eligible candidates who currently reside in Canada and hold a valid work permit with a minimum of one year left on it (at the time of application). Employers must submit a copy of their eligible candidate’s work permit as part of the RRS application process.
This requirement is in place because the provincial government processing times can vary considerably.
Note: Employers may still recruit out-of-country for jobs they are unable to fill locally but cannot make application to the Town of Innisfail RRS Program until their eligible candidate is legally residing in Canada on a valid work permit and meets all the established criteria.
Employer Fees Are Illegal
Under no circumstances are Employers or Employment Agencies allowed to charge employees fees for a job or employment offer. Any costs incurred for the RRS Program are the sole responsibility of the Employer and cannot be recovered from any eligible candidates. Employers who charge employees fees of any kind will be reported to the Government of Alberta.
A Safe And Welcoming Workplace
Employers are responsible for creating a safe and welcoming environment for candidates. The following resources are available to assist Employers: · The Employers Roadmap; Hiring & Retaining Internationally Trained Workers · Attracting and Retaining Immigrants: Employers Guide
A safe and welcoming workplace creates an environment where all employees are valued, included, treated with respect, and free from physical and psychological danger. A safe and welcoming workplace can be created by:
· Including appropriate onboarding and training, establishing policies and procedures that clearly outline the company’s culture and values, defining performance expectations, and providing equitable opportunities for professional growth and/or advancement.
· Maintaining a work environment that prohibits all forms of harassment, discrimination, and racism by ensuring that effective policies are in place both for reporting and responding to any incidents that may occur.
· Recognizing that newcomers may require additional levels of support upon arrival, such as language or skill building, a community orientation, and/or a mentorship program, which help to set newcomers up for successful integration into the workplace and community.
Candidates: Key Information
The Town of Innisfail works exclusively with Employers. The RRS Program is designed to assist our local employers to fill ongoing labour gaps. Program guidelines do not allow us to accept applications directly from eligible candidates or anyone seeking employment. It is the Employer who is responsible for submitting the online application on behalf of the employee. In person, email or telephone inquiries from candidates, interested workers, or anyone seeking employment will not receive a response.
Candidate Responsibility and Eligibility Criteria
Candidates are responsible to ensure they review, understand, and meet all the RRS eligibility criteria, including:
- Job offer requirements
- Occupation requirements (licensing, registration and certification)
- Qualifying work experience
- Language requirements
- Education requirements
- Settlement funds
As a candidate it is your responsibility to ensure both you and your Employer meet all eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application to the Town of Innisfail RRS Program
Residency Requirements
The Town of Innisfail cannot influence the time it will take for the province to review submissions. Therefore, the Town will only endorse eligible candidates who currently reside legally in Canada and hold a valid work permit with an expiry date of one year from the time of application. A copy of this work permit must be provided as part of the RRS application process.
Eligible Employer List
The Town of Innisfail does not pre-screen or maintain a list of eligible Employers. It is the Employer’s responsibility to confirm they meet all the eligibility criteria prior to submission of an application on behalf of an eligible candidate. Employer eligibility will be confirmed as part of the 3-to-6-week application review process.
Application Process
Step 1: Employer Application Form
- Employer submissions must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to participate in the Town of Innisfail RRS Program
- Four (4) completed Employer Application Forms will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis for review each month.
- Once four (4) completed Employer Application Forms have been submitted the application process will be closed and will reopen the following month.
- Applications will be received on the first Monday of each month on a first-come-first-served basis (maximum 4 per month)
- All applications and any other correspondence will only be accepted at immigration@innisfail.ca. In person submissions and correspondence to any other email will not be accepted.
- Click here to download the employer application.
Step 2: Application Review
Applications will typically require a 3-to-6-week administrative review period that includes an evaluation by the Town of Innisfail Rural Renewal Stream Review Committee to issue a recommendation.
Step 3: Endorsement Letter Issued
The Innisfail Economic Development Department will issue an Endorsement of Candidate letter directly to the successful employer and candidate.
Step 4: Candidate Applies for Provincial Nomination
The Candidate applies for provincial nomination through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Rural Renewal Stream. Please note that the Town of Innisfail is unable to influence the speed that the Province of Alberta processes applications. This process can take several months.
Frequently Asked Questions: RRS Program
Is an Employer Able to Nominate a Current Employee For The RRS Program?
Yes. An Employer may nominate a current employee who has been working for their business for a minimum of 90 days in the nominated position. The candidate must hold a valid work permit and meet all the RRS eligibility criteria. Employers will need to submit the original, signed job offer letter to confirm the date of hire. The 60-day job posting criteria is for Employers hiring to fill a vacant position.
Can An Employer Nominate a Candidate Who Currently Resides Outside of Canada?
No. The nominee must already reside in Innisfail and be legally working for the nominating employer in the same role that the employer cites in their RRS submission.
Does an AAIP Nomination Automatically Extend the Expiry Date of a Work Permit for an Employer’s Eligible Candidate?
No. An AAIP nomination is not an automatic work permit renewal. All AAIP candidates must apply to IRCC for a work permit renewal if their current work permit will expire within one year of submission. Eligible candidates should visit the RRS website to learn about options to extend a work permit.
Can The Town of Innisfail Answer Questions on the Status of An AAIP Nomination?
No. All questions are to be directed through the AAIP website. Provincial processing times can vary considerably and are outside of the Town of Innisfail’s control. The Town of Innisfail will not respond to inquiries of this nature.
Will Employers Have to Demonstrate and Prove That They Have Made Robust And Meaningful Efforts To Employ And Retain Canadian Citizens And Permanent Residents Before Employing Foreign Nations?
Yes. The employer will have to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to find Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents to fill job vacancies. Prior to employing foreign nationals on a work permit, employers must demonstrate credible efforts to find Canadians and Permanent Residents for a minimum of 60-days. These efforts must be appropriate for the position being advertised and The Town of Innisfail reserves the right to refuse to support applications if there is insufficient evidence that sufficient and genuine efforts have been made to employ locals first.
Employer Fees are Illegal
Employers and Employment Agencies cannot charge employees fees for a job or employment offer. If an Employer is charging any candidate a fee of any kind, they are strongly encouraged to call the Government of Alberta Information Line at 310-0000 and ask for Employment Standards or the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office.
Is an employer eligible to participate in the RRS if they pay less that the stipulated $20.65 per hour themselves, but receive additional funding from elsewhere to top-up hourly pay that meets or exceed the minimum $20.65 per hour?
Yes, usually if the source of this funding is legitimate and legal. This additional funding must come from a legitimate funding source such as the provincial or federal government. Evidence to demonstrate that this additional funding is a reliable and indefinite funding source must be provided with the application. Insufficient evidence will deem the application ineligible.
