Rural Renewal Stream

RRS Portal

Opens on January 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM

EMPLOYER PRE-SCREENING FORM

Program Update (Effective January 1, 2026)

Effective January 1, 2026, the Government of Alberta will implement changes to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Rural Renewal Stream (RRS). Any applications received on or after this date will be assessed under the new criteria.

Due to a reduced nomination allocation from the Government of Canada, AAIP will be strategically managing nomination spaces to align with provincial priorities, including:

  • Rural development
  • Economic diversification
  • High-demand occupations

As interest in the Rural Renewal Stream has increased, endorsement volumes across Alberta have exceeded the available nomination spaces, necessitating these changes.

Key Provincial Changes Include:

  • Introduction of endorsement allocation limits for each designated community (Westlock is still awaiting its allocation limit for 2026)
  • Establishment of a one-year validity period for Endorsement of Candidate Letters
  • Implementation of a TEER-based endorsement model
  • Updated eligibility for foreign nationals already in Canada, requiring a valid work permit at the time of application and assessment

Additional details are available on the AAIP webpage: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-updates and https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream 

To align with provincial requirements and ensure effective program delivery, the Town of Westlock has implemented the following administrative framework:

Key Features:

  • Endorsement Letters are not renewable. The Town will not renew or update existing Endorsement Letters. Candidates must hold an Endorsement Letter issued on or after July 1, 2025. If a new Endorsement Letter is required, the candidate must reapply and complete the full endorsement process again. See the case scenarios below for more information.
  • Applicants must hold a work permit valid for a minimum of six (6) months
  • Candidates must work and reside in Westlock for at least three (3) months
  • No monthly intake cap (applications will be accepted until allocation limit is exhausted)
  • Applications are processed in the order received
  • The program pauses immediately once the annual allocation limit is fully utilized
  • RRS consultations are available on Thursdays for EMPLOYERS ONLY
  • Endorsement Letters must be picked up at the Town Office by the candidate, with proof of identification.

Important Note

Meeting the Town of Westlock’s endorsement criteria does not guarantee nomination approval by AAIP or permanent residency. Final decisions rest solely with the Province of Alberta.

What Does This Mean in My Case?

The validity and use of an Endorsement Letter depend on when it was issued and when the Province of Alberta requests confirmation. The following scenarios explain how this applies in practice:

If an Endorsement Letter was issued before July 1, 2025, and the Province contacts the Town to confirm that endorsement and allocate one of the Town’s available annual spots, the Town WILL NOT confirm or allocate a spot for that candidate. The Rural Renewal Stream program was on pause prior to this date, and endorsements issued before July 1, 2025 are not eligible under the current framework.

Candidates in this situation must request their employer to apply for a new Endorsement Letter. Any newly issued Endorsement Letter will be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance, subject to current program requirements and allocation availability.

Endorsement Letters issued during this period are subject to a one-year validity period.

  • If the Province requests confirmation and the Endorsement Letter is less than one (1) year old, the Town will utilize one allocation spot for that endorsement.
  • If the Province requests confirmation and the Endorsement Letter is more than one (1) year old, the Town WILL NOT utilize an allocation spot, and the endorsement will be considered expired.

In the latter case, the candidate must reapply for a new Endorsement Letter through their employer.

Applications submitted in 2026 will be assessed under the new AAIP Rural Renewal Stream requirements, effective January 1, 2026. All current eligibility criteria, endorsement allocation limits, and validity rules will apply.

Important Notes

  • Each application is assessed individually by the Province of Alberta using its own evaluation system.
  • The Town of Westlock processes applications and confirmation requests by the Province of Alberta on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to allocation limits.
  • Provincial processing times may vary. Some applications may be reviewed faster than others.
  • An Endorsement Letter does not guarantee:
    • An allocation spot under the Town’s annual limit, or
    • Approval by the Province of Alberta.

A Pathway to Support Local Workforce Needs

Rural Renewal Stream graphic

 

The Rural Renewal Stream (RRS), a pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), supports rural communities in attracting and retaining skilled workers when no suitable Canadian candidates are available.

The Town of Westlock participates in this program to assist local employers only. We help eligible businesses apply for a Community Endorsement Letter, which candidates may then use to apply for permanent residency through the Province of Alberta.

Important:

The Town works only with employers.

This program contributes to workforce stabilization, long-term settlement, and a welcoming community for newcomers who help build a stronger Westlock.

Employer Information

Community Endorsement Letters are issued based on a successful application review. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to local intake limits and eligibility.

To qualify, employers must:

  • Operate a business physically located in the Town of Westlock

  • Hold a valid Town of Westlock business licence and be in good standing

  • Have been in active operation for at least two years

  • Employ a minimum of three full-time staff (*)

  • Generate at least $400,000 in annual revenue (*)

  • Have no Alberta Health Services or OH&S violations in the past 12 months (as applicable)

  • Meet AAIP employer eligibility or qualify for an approved exemption (*) www.alberta.ca/job-offer-and-employer-requirements

All job offers must:

Employers must demonstrate a genuine effort to recruit locally before applying.

Post the position for at least 60 days on:

  • Canada Job Bank
  • Indeed Canada

Submit with application:

  • Screenshots or links showing posting dates
  • Recruitment summary (number of applicants/interviews, and reasons for not hiring locally)

A non-refundable Employer Application Processing Fee of $350 applies

Payment is due within 3 business days of application submission

Employers must not charge candidates any fees related to job placement or endorsement. Violations will be reported.

The Town of Westlock conducts annual program reviews. Employers who previously received endorsement may be contacted. Failure to respond may result in future ineligibility.

RRS Application Process (Employer-Driven)

This process is exclusively for employers. The Town of Westlock assists eligible businesses apply for a Community Endorsement Letter, a key step in supporting foreign workers on their path to permanent residency.

We do not work directly with individual candidates or provide immigration advice. The 5 steps below outline the process for employers only.

1.       EMPLOYER PRE‑SCREENING FORM

The business owner completes the Employer Pre-Screening Form. This form helps determine whether the business is eligible to proceed.

2.       CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY FORM

Pre-screened employers will be invited to submit a full Candidate Eligibility Form, along with all required documentation, within 7 days.

3.       PROCESSING FEE PAYMENT

A non-refundable $350 fee must be paid within five (5) business days of submitting your application, following receipt of the confirmation email. If payment is not received within this timeframe, the application will be withdrawn and must be restarted again.

4.       APPLICATION REVIEW

The Town will complete an administrative review of your application within 2–4 weeks. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be rejected and must re-enter the process from Step 1. 

5.       ENDORSEMENT LETTER ISSUED

If approved, a Community Endorsement Letter will be issued, and the candidate must pick it up at the Town Office and provide a valid identification document.

NEXT STEP: CANDIDATE APPLIES TO AAIP (Province of Alberta Role)

Once the Endorsement Letter is received, the candidate may apply for permanent residency through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This step is handled directly by the Province of Alberta, not the Town:

https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-eligibility.

Candidate Information

Candidate Eligibility Overview

While the Town does not work directly with candidates, the following eligibility criteria must be met for consideration by AAIP:

  • Reside and work in Westlock for at least three (3) months
  • Hold a valid work permit with a minimum of six (6) months remaining
  • Meet education, experience, and licensing requirements
  • Meet language and settlement fund criteria
  • Have a valid job offer aligned with eligible TEER 0–5 occupations
  • Not be working in an ineligible occupation under AAIP
  • Meet AAIP Candidate Eligibility Requirements: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-eligibility

Note: Only candidates currently residing in Westlock will be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — the Town of Westlock only endorses candidates currently residing in Westlock with a valid work permit.

No — candidates must still apply to IRCC for a work permit extension if needed.

  • Canada Job Bank
  • Indeed Canada

The Town of Westlock does not maintain a public list of participating employers. We recommend checking Indeed Canada and the Canada Job Bank for current job postings from employers seeking workers under this program.

We're Here to Help

If you’re an employer looking to participate in the program, please contact:
Davis Prizgintas, Economic Development Officer

Email Phone

If you’re a candidate, please visit the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website for detailed eligibility requirements, application instructions, and contact information: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-renewal-stream-overview

The Town of Westlock is not involved in individual immigration applications and cannot respond to candidate inquiries.

Contact Us

Town of Westlock

Planning & Development

10003–106 Street,
Westlock, AB  T7P 2K3

Phone: 780‑349‑4444

Email us: planning@westlock.ca