There are many good attributes of Canada and Alberta, not the least of which is how we welcome immigrants.
Immigrants Among Us
Albertans have differing views on the impact of immigrants depending on their experience.
I encounter 100s of immigrants across Alberta in my role with churches. Ukrainians, Filipinos, Nigerians, Ghanians, Zambians, Kenyans, Tanzanians, and Russians. They have names like Joachim, Rumi, Terefe, Ohene, Emmanuel, and Sergei to name a few.
I was pastor to numerous immigrants at Central Tabernacle and North Pointe. Our churches sponsored immigrants and refugees coming to Alberta. I work with several immigrant pastors who have successfully navigated our citizenship process. Some are in process. It’s costly. And long.
I was born a Canadian. I had no choice. They want to be Canadian.
Referendum
On February 19, 2026, Premier Smith hosted a live TV broadcast in prime time. That’s a big deal. I listened with interest.
The Premier laid out responses heard in Town Hall meetings held across Alberta. A common concern was how immigration is affecting Albertans. As a result, she announced a series of referendum questions she would present in October suggesting a change of course regarding immigrants in our province.
I posted my reaction in REVwords.
The next day I wrote to the Premier expressing respect for her office but concern regarding the impact of the questions.
“Alberta has one of the highest standards of living in Canada. Surely our government can be compassionate towards refugees and immigrants from non-English speaking countries, who, like our own families, immigrated to Alberta and lived as responsible citizens contributing to community and the economy of the Canadian mosaic.”
Response
I received a response from Premier Smith’s office. Maybe you received the same response. If you did, you saw this paragraph:
“Welcoming newcomers has been a part of our story from the very beginning; however, the immigration policies of the federal government over the last five years have put tremendous pressure on our classrooms, emergency rooms and social support systems. Unsustainable immigration combined with unstable oil prices are driving untenable budget deficits – not just here but across the country.”
As the Premier’s office says, Albertans welcome newcomers. I was welcomed as a newcomer 36 years ago to this province.
Federal policies play some part in our predicament. However, laying “untenable provincial budget deficits” at the feet of immigrant families seems a stretch. Does identifying immigrants as the problem, make life more welcoming and safer for them or their children?
Facts Matter
Public school teachers tell me that their classes are full and can be made up of a good number of non-English speaking students. That puts a strain on students and teachers. Hospital emergency wards are overflowing with dangerously long wait times. (I experienced that myself a year ago this week.) Blaming immigrants for these problems caught my attention on February 19th and still has it.
The fact is, temporary residents make up less than 5% of the total population of Alberta. And that number is shrinking.
- The number of immigrants and temporary workers in Alberta has decreased over the past year. Immigration to Alberta has been falling sharply since 2024. In the last quarter of 2025 fewer than 200 immigrants moved to Alberta.
They are a strain like all of us but not the primary cause of strain on the health care or education systems. And evidence consistently shows they have a positive impact on the economy and contribute significantly to our health care sector (a quarter of health care workers are newcomers, including more than a third of the country’s physicians and nearly half its pharmacists).
- A recent report by the conservative-leaning Fraser Institute concluded that the national Temporary Foreign Worker Program has “strong elements of ‘win-win’ for all parties,” including filling labour shortages and contributing to cheaper goods and services.”
- Immigrants (including undocumented) are not associated with higher crime rates. On the contrary, studies have shown that “immigration is consistently linked to decreases in violent (e.g., murder) and property (e.g., burglary) crime” and that “immigration has crime-reducing effects.”
- Federal and provincial governments share jurisdiction on immigration. The Alberta government asked for the level of immigration that the same government is now criticizing.
Canada is known as the rarest place on earth. We insure that newcomers will have the same level of basic social services that you and I have. That is a rare project.
How will we care for the stranger within our borders?
New Testament Values
The New Testament has nothing to say about immigration policy. It has lots to say about how to treat newcomers among us.
Christians are called to mercy, justice, and humility. The apostle Paul summed up the Old Testament laws: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.” (Galatians 5:14, NIV)
His statement was radically counter cultural. He wrote in a time when foreigners faced uncertainty and prejudice. In an incredible display of empathy he aligned himself with their circumstance by reminding Christians they too are foreigners. (1 Peter 2:11, ESV)
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) – “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.“
Generosity is a hallmark of the kingdom of God.
Generosity comes at a cost.
My appeal in this post is to my peers. To Christians, pastors, church leaders to consider the implications and outcomes of the October referendum. We can’t change the questions but we can be clear in our answers.
I see immigrants as Alberta’s responsibility and advantage. You know how I’ll vote in October.
What do you think? Post your comment and join the conversation.
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