Tourism Talent Shortage Threatens Future Growth in Alberta’s Visitor Economy
As Ottawa re-examines the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, again, amid heightened politicization, Alberta’s employers are urging a focus on balanced, durable workforce solutions. For the province’s visitor economy, the fastest-growing in Canada, stability is essential. Businesses, especially in rural, remote, and resort communities, rely on a predictable labour pipeline to keep their doors open, serve customers, and sustain local economies.
TIAA has signed on to the Reimagining Immigration paper, developed with a cross-country employer taskforce through the Office of the Commissioner for Employers, Ms. Nancy Healy. The paper proposes a permanent, fair, and modern pathway to meet labour needs at all skill levels. With more than 70 associations, chambers, and industry groups endorsing the proposal, it reflects a rare national consensus for practical reform.
At the same time, recent federal changes restricting Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility by field of study have created damaging uncertainty. Tourism, hospitality, and culinary graduates; a locally-educated and valued-aligned talent stream that powers hotels, hospitality, culture venues and sport facilities, now face unnecessary barriers. This risks undermining both Alberta’s international education reputation and Canada’s own Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.
“Employers in Alberta’s visitor economy are calling for the pragmatic immigration reforms the Prime Minister has spoken of; reforms reflected in the broad national consensus behind the Reimagining Immigration whitepaper. These must address real shortages in specific sectors and regions that limit economic output; while maintaining fairness and integrity Canadian’s expect. Protecting pathways like the Post-Graduate Work Permit program is especially important to ensure skilled tourism and hospitality graduates of Alberta’s award-winning post-secondary institutions can continue contributing to the skilled workforce our communities and businesses rely on.”
— Darren Reeder, President & CEO, TIAA
SAIT’s School of Hospitality & Tourism, ranked #1 in Canada and #13 globally by CEOWORLD Magazine (2025), places 90% of its graduates in training-related jobs. These graduates are critical to the skilled workforce that sustains Alberta’s communities and businesses, yet their pathway is being narrowed at the very moment tourism is driving national growth.
TIAA has worked with Commissioner Healey’s office for more than two years, from advocating for wildfire-related EI and Work-Sharing supports in wildfire impacted communities, including Jasper, to contributing to federal reviews of workforce policy. And we sincerely appreciate and applaud the Commissioner and her team for efforts to establish a national consensus and lead with solutions.
These priorities will be carried to Ottawa for the 3rd Annual TIAA Ottawa Hill Day, late October, where Alberta tourism leaders will press for Federal action on critical issues impacting the performance of Alberta’s visitor economy.
