Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is preparing to deliver a crucial provincial address on Thursday evening, where she has indicated that immigration policy will be a central focus. This announcement comes as the province faces another challenging budget cycle with declining revenues and growing fiscal pressures.
Premier Signals Immigration Overhaul
At an unrelated press conference on Wednesday, Premier Smith confirmed that her upcoming address will address immigration matters, following hints from her chief of staff on social media. Smith emphasized that Canada's rapid population growth, which she described as unsustainable, must change.
"We've had the fastest growing population in Canada — adding 600,000 new people in the last four years alone," Smith stated. "This clearly has to change. This is not sustainable."
Economic Focus and Taxpayer Priority
The Premier outlined her vision for a more balanced immigration approach, stating that she would prefer newcomers arriving in Alberta to come with employment already secured. Smith expressed concern that current immigration patterns have been "out of balance," suggesting that at least two-thirds of newcomers should be economic migrants.
"You have to be a taxpayer before you start using our services and we've had the reverse," Smith explained. "We've had people who are heavy, heavy users of our services, and might not even be a taxpayer, might not even have job prospects. We've got to get back to the original intention."
Budget Pressures and Population Growth
The province is facing significant financial challenges, with declining oil prices affecting revenue streams. Smith noted that Alberta's expenses have been growing faster than revenue, and the rapidly increasing population has placed additional strain on public services and infrastructure.
Budget 2026, scheduled for announcement on February 26, is expected to involve difficult decisions. Finance Minister Nate Horner recently warned that the province would be making "tough choices" amid economic uncertainty, declining revenue, and ongoing trade conflicts.
Social Media Hints and Public Engagement
Rob Anderson, Smith's chief of staff, responded to a social media post on Wednesday comparing Canada's population growth from 2000 to 2024 with other countries. Anderson urged Albertans to watch Smith's Thursday evening address, stating, "This absolute insanity needs to stop. It will."
Smith indicated that her government would begin conversations with Albertans about what "needs to happen" regarding immigration policy moving forward. The Premier is scheduled to deliver her address at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, where she is expected to provide more detailed proposals for immigration reform.
The combination of fiscal pressures and population growth concerns has created what Smith describes as an unsustainable situation requiring immediate policy adjustments. The upcoming provincial address is expected to outline specific measures to address these interconnected challenges while maintaining Alberta's economic competitiveness and social service sustainability.
