RURAL RENEWAL

STREAM

The County of St. Paul is proud to be a designated community under the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. The RRS process is supported and administered by the STEP Economic Development Alliance on behalf of its partner municipalities*.

What is the RRS?

The Rural Renewal Stream offers eligible workers an opportunity to immigrate to the STEP (St. Paul and Elk Point) Region* with the formal support of the municipalities and endorsement from the STEP Economic Development Alliance. The program will be used to attract and retain newcomers and support employers to fill vacancies. This will support workforce development by helping employers meet labour demands, expand skilled workforce and support community and economic growth.

* comprised of the County of St. Paul, Town of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point, and
Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay

Quick Links:

Application Process

Applications will have up to a 30-day review process.

Applying for the Rural Renewal Stream as an employer or candidate can be a confusing process. We’ve outlined the steps below to help you understand the responsibilities of employers and candidates. View the complete STEP RRS Policy & Procedure.

Employers with vacancies submit an application to the STEP Economic Development Alliance. 

EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORM 

Prior to submitting an Application, employers must meet all eligibility criteria under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Rural Renewal Stream including the stated Employer and Job Offer Requirements.

Responsibility: Employers

STEP Economic Development Alliance reviews applications and may conduct an interview with the employer to determine eligibility and participation in the program.

Responsibility: STEP Economic Development Alliance

Approved jobs are posted below on the Job Board. More are being added, so check back often.

Responsibility: STEP Economic Development Alliance

Prospective candidates review the job postings and apply directly to the employer for positions they are qualified for. Candidates should ensure they meet all eligibility requirements under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program before they apply for the job.

See Candidate Information below for more details on your role in the process.

Responsibility: Candidate

Qualified candidate receives a job offer from the employer for full-time, permanent work.

Responsibility: Employer

1. The employer sends in a request to the STEP Economic Development Alliance via email (ruralrenewal@county.stpaul.ab.ca) for a letter of endorsement on behalf of the candidate.
2. STEP Economic Development Alliance will review the request and if approved, will issue a Request for Endorsement Letter Form to the employer. Once the Form is received, the employer completes the Form and sends it back to the STEP Economic Development Alliance via email (ruralrenewal@county.stpaul.ab.cafor review/approval. 

Responsibility: Employer

The STEP Economic Development Alliance issues an endorsement letter directly to the candidate, with a copy sent to the employer.

Please note: To receive a letter of endorsement, candidates must have accepted a job offer from an employer who is based within the municipalities of the STEP region* and has been approved for the Rural Renewal Stream.

*County of St. Paul, Town of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point, Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay.

Responsibility: STEP Economic Development Alliance

Candidate applies for provincial nomination through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal to receive their 204C letter from the Government of Alberta.

Questions about your application must be directed to the Government of Alberta.

Responsibility: Candidate

Employer Information 

  • Employers must meet all eligibility criteria under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Rural Renewal Stream prior to submitting an Application Form or issuing an offer of employment, including the Job Offer and Employer Requirements.
  • Employers must be incorporated, or registered by or under, an act of the legislature of a province, territory, or the Parliament of Canada and operating within the municipal boundaries of the County of St. Paul, Town of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point, and Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay.
  • Work place offers or contracts must be signed by the employee and employer, and must provide:
    1. continuous, paid work in the County of St. Paul.
    2. full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week, employment for 12 months or more, and wages and benefits that meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for your occupation across all industries in Alberta.
  • Job Opportunities must be available to Canadians first, at the same pay and working conditions. Under the AAIP, there are some ineligible occupations.
  • A Labour Market Impact Assessment is not required, but demonstrated efforts to recruit locally, provincially and nationally is required.
  • Employers are required to demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities of welcoming newcomers and providing a safe and welcoming environment. A business looking to participate in the program must demonstrate that they have knowledge of the employer’s responsibilities with respect to federal and provincial immigration laws and regulations. The following are resources that prospective employers are encouraged to review prior to recruiting:
    1. The Employer’s Roadmap – Hiring & Retaining Internationally Trained Workers
    2. Employers Guide – Attracting & Retaining Immigrants
  • A safe welcoming workplace creates an environment where all employees are valued and respected. Employers must provide a safe welcoming workplace. For more information on safe and welcoming workplaces, visit alis.alberta.ca.

Candidate Information 

Applicants that wish to participate in the program must meet a series of eligibility criteria (see below), receive an authentic job offer from an eligible employer, get endorsed by the STEP Economic Development Alliance and apply using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal.

For more information on job opportunities under the AAIP program, contact ruralrenewal@county.stpaul.ab.ca or 780-645-3301, extension 1218 or 1214.

  • Before applying for an employment opportunity, candidates are encouraged to review, understand and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
  • Once a candidate is confident they meet the eligibility requirements, they may apply for employment with employers located within the County of St. Paul, Town of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point or the Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay. 
  • All approved job postings are listed below in the Job Board. Applications must be made directly to the employer. 
  • Once you receive a job offer from an employer, your employer will present the job offer to the STEP Economic Development Officer to be reviewed and recommended to receive endorsement.
  • After receiving an Endorsement of Candidate letter (requested by your employer on your behalf), the candidate can then submit their application through the AAIP Portal. The candidate will be notified by the Government of Alberta if they are eligible for nomination. At the time the application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must intend to and be able to work, reside, and settle in the STEP region.

Job Board

To view approved employment opportunities within the AAIP – Rural Renewal Stream, view by employer below. More jobs are added regularly, so check back often.

PLEASE NOTE – All candidates must review, understand and meet all program eligibility criteria before applying for available positions.

If all eligibility requirements are met, candidates may apply for a position being offered. Applications are made directly to the employer outlined in the job postings.

A1 Delivery and Moving Inc.
     – Delivery Driver

Boston Pizza
     – Line Cook
     – Food Service Supervisor
     – Kitchen Supervisor

Dairy Queen
     – Food Service Supervisor
     – Cook

KFC
      – Pack Line/Prep

Shotz Liquor Store
      – Retail Sales Associate

Smitty’s Family Restaurant & Hideaway Lounge
      – Bartender 
      – Bar Manager 

Subway Elk Point
      – Food Counter Attendant

Community Supports

Portage Community Adult Learning Program (CALP)

Portage College St. Paul Campus
Box 1471, 5205-50 Avenue
St. Paul, Alberta T0A 3A0

Christine Warkentin
CALP Settlement Worker
780-614-6369
855-497-1160 (toll free)
christine.warkentin@portagecollege.ca