Alberta is launching the Newcomer Recognition Awards to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of immigrants in this province.

Newcomers contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and cultural diversity by taking active roles in their communities, schools and workplaces, and by starting their own businesses.

The Alberta Newcomer Recognition Awards will honour these achievements to show appreciation for newcomers and inform people about the ways newcomers make our neighbourhoods, schools and economy more diverse and inclusive.

Nominations are open until July 24, and anyone can nominate a newcomer who has enriched this province through volunteer activities, leadership, innovation in business, contributions to their academic or professional field, and actions to help build a more inclusive province.

A broad range of award categories are available to recognize the accomplishments of youth, women, seniors, entrepreneurs, academics, workers and community builders.

By launching the Alberta Newcomer Recognition Awards, Alberta’s government is continuing to take action on multiculturalism and anti-racism by encouraging cultural communities to share their stories and successes across Alberta.

The awards program is one of many ways the government is supporting newcomers to call Alberta home and combatting racism.

Through the Fairness for Newcomers Office, Alberta is getting newcomers back to work quicker by eliminating barriers to recognizing foreign credentials – helping people leverage their education and experience to reach their full potential.

As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the government is also creating more opportunities for people to come to Alberta, settle in communities, start businesses and create more jobs.

Through two new immigration streams, the government is also helping revitalize rural Alberta by removing barriers and setting the building blocks to welcome job-creating immigrants to local communities.

Quick Facts 

• Nominations are open until July 24.
• The awards include nine categories: Small Communities Enhancement Award, Inclusive Workplaces Award, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Young Leader Award, Newcomer Champion Award, Career and Academics Contribution Award, Student Inspiration Award, Women Newcomer Impact Award and Senior Spirit Award.
• Nominations must be submitted through an online portal.
• To be eligible, nominees must:
  • be an individual (not a group or organization)
  • have not been a past award recipient for a similar Government of Alberta award
  • have been born outside Canada (but can have lived in Canada for many years)
  • be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
  • have no criminal conviction for which a pardon has not been received
  • not be an elected official
  • reside in Alberta at the time of nomination
  • have made contributions to Alberta