Latest news with #JosephSchow
CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Plan to accept newcomer parents and grandparents will strain health services, Alberta warns
Alberta's immigration minister says he's concerned about the federal government's plan this year to accept thousands of parents and grandparents of immigrants already in Canada. Joseph Schow responded Tuesday to a federal notice that Ottawa plans to take in 10,000 applications from those who have previously expressed interest in sponsoring family members. Schow took issue with the 10,000 figure. In a statement, Schow said provincial health-care systems, housing and social services don't have the capacity and could be overwhelmed. Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab's office said the federal government's actual countrywide target for approvals this year for the parent and grandparent immigration stream is higher at 24,500. Diab's office said Schow was responding to a notice that the ministry is preparing to take in 10,000 applications for consideration from already settled immigrants who expressed interest in 2020 in sponsoring their parents or grandparents. "Family reunification is an important part of Canada's immigration system, helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their loved ones to live and work alongside them in Canada," a spokesperson for Diab said in an email, adding that the federal government is committed to reuniting as many families as possible. "Opening intake for 10,000 applications will help us meet this commitment and will not increase the target." Schow's office said it was under the impression the 10,000 was the 2025 target, and his concern remains the same. 'Disproportionate strain' Schow said in the Tuesday statement that he understands "the importance of family reunification, [but] inviting large numbers of parents and grandparents into the country without proper co-ordination with provinces places disproportionate strain on already busy health systems." "This creates serious concerns for both Albertans and the newcomers themselves, who may not receive timely care if our system is overwhelmed." The minister didn't directly answer questions about whether he wants to see the parent and grandparent target reduced or eliminated. In an email, he said the "root issue" is the federal government setting immigration targets without provincial input. "The more direct concern with this program is its impact on health care," Schow added. "Seniors are more likely to require medical and long-term care, and bringing in thousands more without additional supports increases pressure on a system already managing high demand." Diab's office said since parents and grandparents accepted under the program require a sponsor to financially support them, it doesn't put any excessive burden on provincial services. "Family reunification not only leads to social and cultural benefits but also economic benefits," said the spokesperson. "Those coming through this program are often supporting the household in Canada, including by providing childcare. This helps parents enter the workforce and strengthen Canada's economy." Schow said Alberta's government wants overall immigration reduced to below 500,000 per year, and that provinces need to "have a stronger role in selecting newcomers to meet local needs." Under targets set last fall, Ottawa is aiming to approve just over one million immigration applications this year, including temporary residents on work visas, international students, refugees and new permanent residents like parents and grandparents of newcomers. On Wednesday, premiers from across Canada called on the federal government to engage more with provincial governments on immigration targets and increase the share of economic immigrants each province is allocated under the provincial and territorial nominee program. The joint federally and provincially run program works to fast track the permanent residency process for workers in sought after sectors. For Alberta, that includes health care, technology and law enforcement. "Provinces and territories are best positioned to understand their local labour market needs and call on the federal government to support their respective priorities," reads a joint statement from premiers following their three-day meeting in Ontario. 'Punching down on immigrants' Schow's comments also come as a panel chaired by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is touring the province to hear from citizens on a number of topics, including whether Alberta should create its own immigration permitting system and block non-approved newcomers from accessing services like health care. At the panel's most recent town hall in Edmonton, a member of the public accused Smith of "punching down on immigrants." Smith said the province is trying to find solutions to housing affordability, hospital capacity, classroom sizes and "increasing pressure on our social programs." "There has to be a reasonable amount of newcomers that are able to come here, fit into the economy, be able to be self-supporting," Smith told the audience. "That is, I think, a bit high at the moment."
Global News
7 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Alberta concerned with federal plan to accept newcomer parents, grandparents
Alberta's immigration minister says he's concerned about the federal government's plan this year to accept thousands of parents and grandparents of immigrants who are already in Canada. Joseph Schow says he understands the importance of reuniting families, but provincial health-care systems don't have the capacity and could be overwhelmed. This year Ottawa plans to approve just over 24,000 parents and grandparents of newcomers this year before reducing its target for the next two years. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Schow says provinces should have more say on immigration targets and that overall immigration should be reduced to no more than half a million people per year. He says Alberta and other provinces should also be more involved in determining which immigrants they accept. Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab's office says the government is committed to reuniting as many families as possible and that this immigration stream has social, cultural and economic benefits. Story continues below advertisement Schow's comments come as a provincial panel currently touring Alberta has heard from citizens on a number of topics, including whether some newcomers should be entitled to social services like health care. — More to come…
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Alberta concerned over Ottawa plan to accept newcomer parents, grandparents this year
The Alberta legislature can be seen in Edmonton, Alberta. (CTV News Edmonton) Alberta's immigration minister says he's concerned about the federal government's plan this year to accept thousands of parents and grandparents of immigrants who are already in Canada. Joseph Schow says he understands the importance of reuniting families, but that provincial health-care systems don't have the capacity and could be overwhelmed. This year Ottawa plans to approve just over 24,000 parents and grandparents of newcomers this year before reducing its target for the next two years. Schow says provinces should have more say on immigration targets and that overall immigration should be reduced to no more than half a million people per year. He says Alberta and other provinces should also be more involved in determining which immigrants they accept. Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab's office says the government is committed to reuniting as many families as possible and that this immigration stream has social, cultural and economic benefits. Schow's comments come as a provincial panel currently touring Alberta has heard from citizens on a number of topics, including whether some newcomers should be entitled to social services like health care. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025. Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Outside investment driving employment numbers up: jobs minister
Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade & Immigration Joseph Schow speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about the latest employment numbers. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Michael Higgins: Employment rose in Alberta by 30,000 jobs in June, the second increase in three months. What do you chalk that up to? Joseph Schow: I think the numbers are great, but it doesn't tell the whole story, which is, Alberta continues to be an excellent place to invest. It's a stable environment and we have a great regulatory framework that tells the rest of Canada and the rest of the world that this is a great place to put your money. We're really excited about the future of Alberta and the things we're hearing from private investments coming into Alberta. MH: How much of a role does slower population growth impact how the job numbers look? JS: I think we look at the broader picture of what is driving employment in this province, and that is investment. We've seen a lot of it in a very short period of time. Just going down a very short list, we've seen CTC and Havilland come into Wheatland County. We recently had an announcement with Lufthansa Technik which, if you were around during the Calgary Stampede you would have seen that there were billboards advertising for jobs coming here for that new facility. These numbers, they're important to note. We are working very hard as a province, with the leadership of our Premier, Danielle Smith, to make it a stable place to invest, and the investment is coming. MH: To what degree is Alberta escaping the layoffs, scale back in production said to be happening in other provinces because of tariffs that have been implemented on things like steel and aluminum, and the uncertainty that still lingers? Is Alberta feeling that impact like some of the others? JS: We're always watching and monitoring what's happening south of the border. We endorse a tariff-free relationship with our largest trading partner, the United States of America, but also understand that we have other opportunities around the world. We've been looking at other nations like Japan and Korea, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, all countries that are very interested in being trade partners with Alberta. As we diversify those relationships, you'll continue to see more investment coming here, and that will certainly continue to de-risk Alberta. So I'm very excited about the future and we've laid a very strong foundation for future growth in our province. MH: Given comments from the prime minister, there are now doubts about securing what you mentioned a moment ago, a tariff-free deal with the Trump administration. So with trade falling in your cabinet portfolio, what are you watching for now in those talks? What's key from Alberta's perspective and what comes next? JS: At the moment, it is a bit of a wait and see in terms of what that deal renders. But here in Alberta, we are continuing to focus on being a province with a very skilled labour force with a very low regulatory count that is stable and is seen as a as a safe place to invest. So we will continue to do missions to other jurisdictions around the world to promote Alberta as that place to be a partner with and that's really what we're focusing on right now. I think it's also important to note that domestically we are continuing to break down internal trade barriers with our provincial counterparts, and we're seeing quick movement there as well. MH: It was during the Calgary Stampede that Alberta and Ontario inked memorandums of understanding to strengthen the interprovincial trade and drive development around pipelines. Now that that's underway, what are you looking for next where other provinces are concerned? JS: I won't go and scoop any announcements from the Premier's Office, but what I can say is our premier has been tirelessly working with her provincial and federal counterparts to make sure that we have a very trade friendly relationship with our neighbors to the east. We will continue to fight for what's best for Alberta and I think the premier's done a great job. That memorandum of understanding that we signed over Stampede is just one piece of the broader puzzle of making sure that we are a very favourable place to invest and we're sending that signal to the private sector. MH: What do you see coming from that MOU with Ontario? Is there something tangible? JS: Ontario sees the importance of a good trade relationship with Alberta and we want to continue to explore that. I really appreciate Premier Ford coming out to Alberta and signing that memorandum of understanding, bringing a number of his ministers, as well as a show of support for Alberta in breaking down the trade barriers. That is the bigger message here. We will continue to work with our counterparts across the country to improve trade and labour mobility. MH: What about communication with First Nations communities? How does that fit into the equation? JS: I don't think a whole lot changes because there's always a duty to consult with First Nations and make sure that projects that we're looking to move forward are consulting with First Nations, so I don't think a whole lot changes there. The uncertainty across the line with the United States has really forced a conversation about breaking down these barriers of internal trade within Canada, something Alberta has been doing for quite some time. Several years ago we removed almost all of our exceptions, and really continue to look at those and how we can build those relationships. So I'm grateful that other provinces are taking note of the success Alberta has had and the leadership of our premier, Danielle Smith.
CBC
04-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Alberta government calls for strychnine ban reversal to fight 'destructive force' of gophers
Strychnine had long been the preferred pesticide for gopher control in Alberta — until the federal government began to phase out its use on Richardson's ground squirrels in 2020 and then banned it outright in 2024. The Government of Alberta is now calling for the controversial poison to be unbanned by the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). "Alberta's farmers and ranchers are in crisis," reads an open letter released through social media on June 27, signed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson and Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow. The letter, addressed to federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, calls for Ottawa "to immediately reverse the PMRA decision and reinstate the production and sale of strychnine for [Richardson's ground squirrel] control." Richardson's ground squirrels, known colloquially as gophers, "are a destructive force across the prairie provinces, threatening cereal, oilseed, pulse, forage, pasture, and horticultural crops," the letter reads. According to the province, "the annual risk to hay and native pasture [due to damage caused by ground squirrels] exceeds $800 million." A provincial spokesperson was not available for an interview ahead of publication. In his post alongside the letter, the agriculture minister wrote that farmers "are being forced to fight this plague without their most effective tool," referring to strychnine. "This isn't just a rural issue — it's a national food security issue. Without immediate federal action, we're staring down widespread crop failure in 2026 and a serious hit to Canada's food supply chain," Sigurdson wrote. Sigurdson's constituency office did not respond to an interview request ahead of publication. Why was strychnine banned? Ahead of the initial ban on strychnine's use on Richardson's ground squirrels in 2020, the use of the rodenticide underwent a re-evaluation by Health Canada in 2018. An evaluation of the highly-potent neurotoxin's use "confirmed that there are risks of concern for non-target organisms," according to the PMRA. "Health Canada acknowledges the value of strychnine to agricultural users because it is easy to use, cost effective and kills [Richardson's ground squirrels] in a single feeding [but] the primary mandate of Health Canada is to prevent unacceptable risk to individuals and the environment from the use of pest control products," the PMRA wrote in its 2020 decision. The agency pointed to the environmental risks associated with strychnine, including potential harm to species-at-risk such as burrowing owls and swift foxes, and concluded through a scientific review that those risks "were not shown to be acceptable," the agency wrote. Prior to the decision, the use of strychnine on all other ground squirrel species with the exception of Richardson's ground squirrels had been discontinued by the manufacturer. Alberta and Saskatchewan were the only provinces in which the use of strychnine to control gophers was authorized. The 2020 decision resulted in strychnine's use on Richardson's ground squirrels being phased out over the course of the next three years, with the ban taking effect in 2023. But while strychnine was banned for use on gophers, using it kill predators like wolves and black bears, as well as skunks, remained legal solely in Alberta. All uses of strychnine were banned nationwide in 2024 through another PMRA decision. "Health Canada found that strychnine uses did not meet the requirements for protection of the environment and is cancelling all uses," the PMRA wrote. Outside of Canada, the European Union has banned the use of strychnine as a rodenticide since 2006. The substance is still used to control gophers in the United States, though its use is regulated. What gopher control looks like today Sigurdson wrote that the strychnine ban "has left producers without viable alternatives" to control gophers. Today, gopher populations can be managed by farmers through options like shooting and legal rodenticides. Vulcan County farmer Ian Webber told CBC News that he's been using a chlorophacinone product as an alternative to strychnine, but that it isn't as effective. "It lacks that kick that strychnine had," he said. "There were times where you go out and poison a bunch of holes and … there's no gophers, you've got them. And then with the other options, they just don't seem to quite do the job." Webber, who grows canola, wheat, barley and more on his farm, said he's had to adapt his growing strategy due to the gopher problem. He called canola a gopher's "meal ticket," adding that he alternates which crops he grows in certain parts of the field to make up for gophers going after the canola. "Depending on the year, if you've got a field that is really bad, you can be into the tens of thousands of dollars of damage," he said, adding that time and effort spent controlling gophers is another expense. Webber said he would welcome the opportunity to use strychnine again. "It's just an efficient and effective tool in the toolbox," he said. "You want as many tools as you can to go after a problem that you're facing,and that's just one extra tool that would help." In neighbouring Foothills County, cattle rancher Ben Campbell said he tries to use natural inhibitors on his farm to keep gopher numbers down. "We don't shoot coyotes, we don't shoot badgers," he said. Encouraging predators to hunt gophers on his property has helped Campbell manage the rodents. "If [a badger] is in your field, it's eating gophers. That's the only thing it's doing," he said. "I found them to be very effective at stopping the gopher population from getting out of control." But he hasn't had as much luck with predators lately, making it necessary to use rodenticide. "In years gone by, we've used strychnine," he said. "It has been fairly effective, but of course there's always a concern." Citing concerns around potentially poisoning other animals, he said he's happy to use safer alternatives like zinc phosphate, which he said has been an "extremely effective" solution over the last two years. "I feel a lot better using that because I'm not worried about killing my natural predators or my neighbour's dogs," he said. Campbell said he would "never" switch back to strychnine, adding that the substance's ban has had a positive impact for him. "I think if strychnine was still legal, I and everyone else would just use it because it's the best and you just want to be effective," he said. "But now that I've been forced to use something else, I'm actually quite happy with it." The Government of Alberta's Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation classifies Richardson's ground squirrels as "nuisances" rather than "pests." The primary difference is that pests — such as rats, grasshoppers and gypsy moths — must be actively managed, while nuisances like coyotes, magpies and ground squirrels may be controlled at the landowner's discretion.
