By Keri-Lynn Gibbs, Red Deer Correspondent
Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, under the Ministry of Labour and Immigration, had some exciting news to share about a new immigration initiative Alberta is rolling out in the lead up to Black History Month.
He shared how Black History Month is a special time to connect and celebrate with his Afro-Canadian friends, and he also greeted the Chinese community for the Lunar New Year and gave well wishes welcoming the Year of the Tiger.
He unpacked some details about the “Alberta Advantage Immigration Program” about The Alberta Advantage Program will include: International Student Provincial Sponsorship.
Foreign Student Recruitment, and the Fairness for Newcomers Program.
Fairness for Newcomers is an Alberta government  joint effort between settlement agencies and professional bodies to streamline the credentialing process for newcomers in their profession. Premier Kenney has also been an ardent advocate of these initiatives to other provinces at the First Minister’s meeting.
Minister Yaseen explained how the Professional bodies will liaison with settlement agencies and will give oversight and help newcomer professionals find the path they need to become credentialed. He further expressed the determination of the Alberta government, and his office to fulfil the election promise to address streamlining credentialing process.