Alberta’s government has introduced legislation it says will tighten oversight of the immigration system, as the province continues to see some of the fastest population growth in Canada driven by newcomers from both within and outside the country and amid rising concerns about weak federal enforcement.

Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow tabled Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, which would require employers to register with the province before accessing federal temporary foreign worker programs and create a licensing regime for immigration consultants and foreign worker recruiters.

“Albertans deserve to know that immigration in Alberta is fair, transparent and addresses the real needs of Alberta’s labour force,” Schow said, adding the changes would improve accountability and give the province more control over how immigration pathways are used.

The proposed law would introduce new compliance tools, including fines, licence suspensions and hiring bans, while establishing a public registry so workers can verify whether employers and recruiters are authorized to operate. The province says the changes are intended to curb fraudulent practices such as fake job offers, illegal fees and misrepresentation targeting foreign workers.

The move comes as Alberta records sustained population increases. Statistics Canada estimates show Alberta added more than 200,000 people in 2024, pushing annual growth above four per cent, the highest rate among provinces. Early estimates for 2025 suggest growth remains elevated, with tens of thousands of additional residents arriving in the first half of the year alone.

Much of that increase has been driven by international migration. In 2024, roughly 60 to 65 per cent of Alberta’s population growth came from newcomers arriving from outside Canada. That group includes permanent immigrants as well as a large number of non-permanent residents such as temporary foreign workers, international students and asylum claimants.

Federal data indicate Alberta welcomed more than 50,000 permanent residents in 2024, while the number of non-permanent residents rose sharply, with well over 100,000 people in the province on work or study permits or awaiting decisions on asylum claims. Temporary foreign workers account for a significant share of that group.

The province has also been a destination for interprovincial migrants, with tens of thousands of Canadians relocating from other provinces in 2024, further accelerating growth and adding pressure on housing and public services. Alberta has been widely reported as the fastest-growing province in Canada over the past year, a trend provincial officials have linked to relatively strong economic conditions and employment opportunities compared with other regions.

The legislation also comes as scrutiny grows over Canada’s broader immigration enforcement system. Recent federal findings point to a large backlog of suspected fraud cases, with about 153,000 flagged in recent years but only roughly 2.6 per cent investigated. In the international student program, which expanded by more than 120 per cent between 2019 and 2023, auditors found limited follow-through, with many cases closed due to a lack of response from applicants and most individuals investigated ultimately allowed to remain in the system.

Separate findings suggest enforcement challenges extend to removals. Of tens of thousands of individuals with visas expiring in 2024, only about 40 per cent could be confirmed to have left the country, highlighting gaps in tracking and compliance. Analysts say a growing number of temporary residents may be staying beyond their authorized period, contributing to a rising population of out-of-status individuals.

Critics of the current federal approach argue the combination of high intake levels and limited enforcement capacity is placing strain on housing, healthcare and other publicly funded services while undermining confidence in the system. They point to delays in deportations, including complex cases involving security concerns, as further evidence of systemic pressure.

Supporters of Alberta’s proposed legislation say stronger provincial oversight is needed in that context to protect vulnerable workers and ensure greater accountability at the front end of the system. Paul Brandt, chair of the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons, said the proposed rules would help reduce exploitation.

“This vital legislation is an important step to protect newcomers and temporary foreign workers from exploitation and to disrupt labour trafficking in our province,” Brandt said.

The province says most employers and recruiters follow the rules but argues a formal registry and licensing system will improve transparency and strengthen confidence as Alberta continues to absorb record levels of population growth.

If passed, the legislation would align Alberta with other provinces such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan, which already have similar employer registries and recruiter licensing requirements in place.