Southeast Alberta Municipal Immigration - Rural Renewal Program

Medicine Hat Economic Development, in partnership with Cypress County, the Town of Redcliff, and the Town of Bow Island, collectively launched the Southeast Alberta Municipal Immigration (SAMI) Rural Renewal Program earlier this year.
Through the program, employers within these municipal boundaries can recruit and retain foreign nationals to live, work and settle in our region through the SAMI Rural Renewal program. Here’s a quick recap on what the program has achieved so far and the trends we’re seeing.

- Rural Renewal launched in April 2024
- Four communities collaborating
- 102 employer interviews complete
- 85 job vacancies advertised
- 58 candidates endorsed
- $24.34 is the average hiring wage
- 30 years is the average age of endorsed candidates
Age meets living wage; why does it matter?
Regionally, we’re seeing an increase in aging population and a decrease in birth rates, which has implications for future industry growth. In the immediate and near term, this dynamic creates the potential for increased hiring competition and a decreased workforce talent pool. Attracting and retaining younger residents supports knowledge transfer within organizations and helps to ensure that skills and services are available within our communities.

Interested in the Southeast Alberta Municipal Immigration Rural Renewal Program?
View program information and application process.
To stay up-to-date on Medicine Hat Economic Development news, business success stories and other relevant information, sign-up to our newsletter here:
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to eNotifications to stay connected with City of Medicine Hat news, activities, events, programs, operations and more.