Alberta calls for temporary foreign worker program to be axed

Alberta’s immigration minister says the federal temporary foreign worker program needs to be scrapped or, at least, heavily revised.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith handed out a new mandate letter to Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow on Wednesday, directing him to “use all legal means” to secure more provincial control over immigration.

In an interview with Postmedia, Schow said the province is currently dealing with high levels of unemployment, particularly among youth. He said Alberta is asking the federal government to give provinces more say when it comes to immigration.

“The reality is the intent of that program was to make sure that we could fill labour positions that were usually more difficult to be filled by Albertans and Canadians,” Schow said.

“I full