The Government of Alberta is increasing the number of spots in its provincial immigration program to help employers in Spruce Grove, Alberta, find the staff they need. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program has been given 6,403 nomination spaces for 2026, which is a 31 per cent increase compared to the initial allocation from the previous year.
This growth, highlighted in the provincial budget released on February 26, 2026, is intended to fill gaps in the local workforce. Between February 6 and February 19, 2026, the province held six draws to invite new workers into the community, specifically targeting those with skills in healthcare, construction, and technology.
New rules that started on January 1, 2026, mean that anyone applying for the program while already living in Canada must have a valid work permit. The program no longer accepts workers on “maintained status,” so local business owners and their employees must ensure their paperwork is up to date to remain eligible for the nomination process.
Local leaders, including MLA Searle Turton and the Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce, are available to help businesses understand these changes. The push for more skilled workers arrives as the region manages other local issues, including a public health advisory for measles exposure in Spruce Grove and Parkland County that was issued on February 19, 2026.
While more worker spots are available now, the provincial government is also preparing for a vote on the future of these programs. The Government of Alberta announced that a provincial referendum will be held in the fall of 2026 to let residents vote on immigration and constitutional reform.
