There are many admirable 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 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 to be presented 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, putting “untenable provincial budget deficits” on the backs of immigrant families is more than a stretch. Does identifying immigrants as the problem, make life more welcoming and safer for them or their children?
Looking for reliable info on the Referendum questions? Look no further.
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 are, 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 Canadian-born citizens 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. That includes me.
What do you think? Post your comment and join the conversation.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. Another relevant topic this morning. Danielle Smith seems to be speaking the same….as someone else that is in the headlines 24/7. We are all immigrants, unless your background is of the “First People” in Canada. Just a reminder. We all need to understand the facts and the truth. Blaming immigrants for all of our problems…is not acceptable. People all want the same thing. A safe place to live where we respect others, regardless of skin colour & our differences, a safe place to raise our children, a place where we can work to raise our families, and decent housing. Most humans want the same thing. I will not listen to the rhetoric …that is spewed from the mouths of people…to ultimately cause division and fear. It is horrible. Not to mention, as discussed before…the lack of critical thinking. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. It is always “food for thought” first thing in the morning…with my cup of coffee. Have a great week! ❤️
I’m glad you enjoyed the blog with your coffee. You start my Mondays well with your comments.
Thanks Bob for this post. How fast we forget. I (along with other ALBERTA company’s) brought 100’s of temporary foreign workers into the province in my job and if it were not for TFW we could not have supplied Ft. McMurray the skilled pressure welders and pipe fitters they desperatly needed for the oil sands development. They had to pass the same welding exams as our local welders. They were paid union wages and lived in camps. The workers in our fab shop in Edmonton were housed in motels. No burden to Alberta whats so ever but oh how they contributed to Alberta prosperity. Now in recent months our family has spend a long time in the Red Deer Hospital and it was very clear that if it were not for immigrants the hospital would need to close. I am amazed how governments can create problems like in our health care then push blame on a totally different issue or people group. Our elected members do not seem to want to accept their errors. When was the last time you heard a politician say, I’m sorry, I was wrong? I am wishing more and more these days that we had some sort of a character device/metre to plug our elected officials into. It could detect liars, cheaters, narcissists, power hunger, spin doctor’s, deceitfulness, just to name a few. We do not have that device, but we do have their past record and actions, our own moral standards, and the ability to discern what is right wrong if we just shut down the political noise and see whats really happening.
Thank you for speaking up on such an important topic, Pastor Bob. As a part-time seminary student who also juggles full-time work, I study alongside and work with many temporary residents as well as permanent residents and new Canadians. I have seen what incredible value and benefit our country gains by welcoming them. It is heartbreaking for me to think that we in Alberta might possibly create two levels of society whereby the temporary residents (who have been given permission to be here) are not given the same care and supports that other Albertans have access to. While I understand that there are many pressures in our province on healthcare, school, and housing, the proposed referendum questions do not address the issue and place blame in the wrong place. It is my prayer that Christians will stand up for these extremely hard working newcomers to address the root case and to advocate (as you have done by writing this post!) for continued support and services for new immigrants.
Thank you for providing your opinions on this subject. My viewpoint is in line with your thoughts although I must admit that I’m influenced by the fact that I’m married to an immigrant and that my son-in-law’s family came to Canada as UN sponsored refugees. This refugee family came from a situation of not having enough to eat to flourishing in our country; the kids grew up and went on to be a police officer, an engineer and a sports psychologist so any contributions to the crime rate were only positive in nature.
That is awesome, Retha. So good to hear your family’s story. I think there are many, many, many more positive stories like yours. I believe there will be more or many more decades in Alberta.
Thank you, Erin, for being a first time commentor and joining the conversation. Yes, blame being placed in the wrong place helps no one and puts people at some level of jeopardy. There is a path forward when people are willing to talk.
This story is a long way off from what we experience in Alberta but the outcome is what I want to focus on.
In 1971, to address the violent desegregation of schools in Durham, SC, the city organized a 10-day community meeting, or “charrette.” Officials paired Ann Atwater, a militant Black housing rights activist, with C.P. Ellis, a dedicated Klansman, to co-chair the event.
Both brought deep animosity to the table. It was reported that Atwater once pulled a knife on Ellis, and they initially refused to acknowledge each other’s humanity.
Throughout the 10 days, they were forced to sit together and discuss community issues, such as school conditions, poverty, and schooling. They discovered that despite racial differences, they shared the same hardships as working-class parents struggling to support their families.
On the final night, in front of 1,000 people, Ellis publicly tore up his KKK membership card, renouncing his role in white supremacy.Lifelong Friendship: Ellis and Atwater became close friends, often speaking together at events, and remained allies until Ellis died in 2005.
Rod, thank you so much for sharing this informative story about your experiences with immigrants in Alberta. This is real world stuff. your comment, “I am amazed how governments can create problems like in our health care then push blame on a totally different issue or people group” resonates with me.
Our Alberta government is indeed showing little or no compassion for the foreigners ,immigrants and also other marginalized groups( (another discussion) amount us.. As the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments instruct us to welcome and care for the ‘stranger’ , it is our spiritual obligation to welcome and care for immigrants not blame them for our problems.
In Matthews 25: 35 in Jesus words “ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in” and again in vs 40
“ Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers you did it for me”
The referendum questions to shift responsibility for our economic, educational and healthcare problems to immigrants will garner a hard ‘No’ from me!
Thank you, Kathy, for joining the conversation for the first time and on such such an important issue. The work of government is undeniably difficult because it affects people. And giving the provincial government the benefit of the doubt that they’re trying to help people, makes me wonder which people.