Rural Renewal Stream

Review Eligibility Requirements

• Business must be active and in continuous operation in Alberta for more than two (2) years.
• Business must hold a valid City of Lloydminster Business License and be located and operating in Lloydminster for more than one (1) year.
• Position wages must be a minimum of $21.65 per hour, or  Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS) average wage, whichever is greater.
• Demonstrate to the province that they have a minimum total gross annual revenue of $400,000 for the most recent fiscal year (tax year). 
• Employ a minimum of 3 full-time (or full-time equivalent) employee at the same location.
• Position posting is offering twelve (12) months of fulltime (30+ hours/week) employment.
• Meet all Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) requirements.
• Priority will be given to skilled and semi-skilled positions TEER 0-3 NOC.

(Skip to Step 4 if you have a signed Memorandum of Understanding)

• Employer Application is completed and submitted.
• Employer Application is reviewed to ensure it is accurate, truthful and complete.
• Employer attends Employer Consultation with the City of Lloydminster.
• Community review committee meets to review application and consultation information.
  • Approval or denial letters are sent to the employers/business contact via email.
• Employer Signs a Memorandum of Understanding.

(Skip to Step 5 for Existing Employees)

• Employer Completes a Job Vacancy Form
• Job is posted on Chamber Job Site.
• Agree on a job offer or contract with the successful candidate.
  • Signed offer and signed acceptance letter is required.

• Endorsement Request is completed and submitted.
• All endorsees must hold a valid work permit for a minimum of 1 year.
• Community review committee meets to review applications.
  • Approval – an Endorsement letter will be issued to the endorsee and employer will receive a copy via email (DocuSign) or
  • Denial - a letter will be sent via email to the employer.

• Candidate must upload all relevant information and documents to Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal to receive their 204C letter from the Government of Alberta.
• Update the City of Lloydminster once AAIP decision made at economy@lloydminster.ca

• Once 204C is received from province, apply with Government of Canada via Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Update the City of Lloydminster once application has been submitted to IRCC at economy@lloydminster.ca
• Update the City of Lloydminster on IRCC decision at economy@lloydminster.ca

• Employer is responsible to assist employee to settle into the Lloydminster Community
  • Housing must be on Alberta Side.

• Employer and Employee are required to connect with the City of Lloydminster Social Programs and Services within four (4) weeks of arrival.

• Confirm Permanent Residence Application and provide feedback to the City of Lloydminster within 6 months of AAIP approval by emailing economy@lloydminster.ca

• Does the Employer's place of business have to be on the Alberta side in the City of Lloydminster?
  No, employers must have a business registered within the City of Lloydminster, but physically be located within city limits on either the Alberta or Saskatchewan side.
• How do I know if my position is skilled or not?
  Based on the NOCS all positions are classified by teers. Skilled and semi-skilled positions are teer 0-3 the lower the number the more skilled the position is deemed to be.  

• I have vacant labour positions. Am I eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) program?
  The RRS program is designed to support employers with difficulties recruiting qualified, skilled employees where federal temporary worker programs and other streams are not suitable for the business' needs. To check your eligibility, please review the program eligibility requirements.

• Do I have to complete the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)? Through the steps of this program, the Labour Market Impact Assessment requirements are exempt. Once an employer has received approval for their application, and successfully received a job acceptance from a suitable candidate, the City of Lloydminster will issue an endorsement letter on behalf of the candidate. 

• Where are the job vacancies posted?
  After receiving approval from the RRS program, employers may post their vacancies on the Chamber of Commerce website.

• Can a business apply to endorse an existing employee?
  Yes! This is an ideal way to retain good employees. On the endorsement request you will just need to indicate that the applicant is an existing employee, how long they have been employed with you and why you want to endorse them.
  

• What happens if the employee doesn't work out?
  Under the Employment Standards Code, both the employer and employee will still have their rights. If an employer or employee chooses to terminate the employment contract, the employer must report the cancellation to the Lloydminster Economic Development department and subcommittee, who will notify the Alberta Advantage Immigration Partnership (AAIP) office. 

• Do I need to have a City of Lloydminster business licence?
  Yes, a local general business license is required for a minimum of 365 days. Your business license must also be renewed annually. All businesses must be established within the community. 
  

• I am a consultant, can I represent a business?
  If an approved employer hires a consultant for recruitment purposes, that organization or individual can represent the business throughout the program. The hiring employer must sign off on all applications and must be included in the qualifications request to the candidate. At any time, consultants and hiring employers are encouraged to contact economy@lloydminster.ca with any questions or concerns. 
  

• Who is eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream program? 
  

  The Rural Renewal Program is open to prospective candidates who reside within Canada. Candidates already in Canada must be here with valid temporary status. 

  Candidates can enter the program by applying for job vacancies on the Chamber of Commerce website.

  The City of Lloydminster works with approved employers only. Candidates must apply through their employer.  

  Priority will be given to skilled, then semiskilled applicants, and existing endorsees will also be given higher priority.  

• How do I know if I am qualified for a position?
  Position qualifications will be listed within the job vacancies, which are found on the Chamber of Commerce website. 
  For full candidate eligibility, please visit the eligibility list on the AAIP website. 

• How do I get an endorsement letter?
  It is the responsibility of the employer to apply to the program, select the best candidate, offer full-time employment in accordance with the AAIP guidelines and then request a letter of endorsement from the City of Lloydminster. The request will be reviewed and if approved, a letter of endorsement will be sent directly to the candidate. 
  

• What happens after I have received an endorsement letter?
  

  Once the letter of endorsement is issued, the candidate is expected to enter their information into the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Portal as soon as possible. This is part of their commitment to the employer and the community.

  Visit the Rural Renewal Stream- After you are nominated| Alberta.ca

• My work permit is about to expire should I renew it?
  Yes! You require a valid work permit to work while you go through the process of the Rural Renewal Stream. You will require a valid work permit for a minimum of one year. If you do not have a valid work permit you are not eligible to work and do not qualify.

• Will this program help me get a work permit?
  No, the RRS is a program to fast track Permanent Residence, not issue work permits.
  

• Who can I contact for information on immigration?  
  Individuals are encouraged to visit the Government of Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream program website or the Immigration Canada website directly for more information.
  
  Candidates are encouraged to submit their enquiries through the Opportunity Alberta contact form.

• Once the endorsement letter is issued, do I have to reside on the Alberta side of Lloydminster?
  Yes. As a Government of Alberta program and the candidate must reside on within Lloydminster, Alberta.