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Alberta.ca Account
Part of New and proposed legislation

Strengthening immigration oversight

Bill 26 would strengthen and improve the integrity of the immigration system.

Status: Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, was introduced on April 1, 2026.
Ministry responsible: Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

Overview

If passed, Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, will give Alberta’s government more provincial oversight of immigration, increase transparency and reduce mistreatment of newcomers.

Bill 26 would establish registry requirements for employers of temporary foreign workers and new licensing requirements for foreign worker recruiters and immigration consultants.

Currently, Alberta does not have adequate authority to hold those who represent the immigration industry accountable when they mistreat or take advantage of foreign workers. Bill 26 would give Alberta’s government the tools needed to address misconduct, including but not limited to fines, suspensions and bans from recruiting or hiring.

Key changes

If passed, Bill 26 will:

  • establish a registry for employers wishing to access the temporary foreign workforce
    • Employers would need to register with the province prior to accessing federal programs, such as receiving a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
  • establish a licensing system for immigration consultants and foreign worker recruiters
  • establish prohibited practices that apply to employers, foreign worker recruiters and immigration consultants
  • establish powers to investigate contraventions of prohibitions
  • establish a system of offences and provide administrative penalties for contravening prohibitions
    • This includes the ability to impose monetary penalties and license and registration restrictions. In severe cases, terms of imprisonment can be imposed by the courts.

The act would also establish a formal complaints process for cases where there is reason to believe an employer, foreign worker recruiter or immigration consultant has contravened the act or its regulations, as well a review process for actions taken.

Prohibited activities the act aims to address include:

  • misrepresented or fraudulent employment opportunities
  • paid-for job offers and collection of unauthorized fees
  • other activities that take advantage of a foreign worker’s inexperience, fear, discomfort or lack of knowledge in the immigration system

Next steps

If passed, Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, will come into force upon proclamation.

Details on the registry and licensing systems and penalties for non-compliance would be developed in the subsequent regulations.

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