It's been over a year since the Rural Renewal Stream program was announced but the question remains whether rural communities are benefiting. In February 2022, the province created two immigration programs to encourage growth in rural communities, the Rural Renewal Stream and Rural Entrepreneur Stream. The programs enabled communities to recruit foreign workers. Workers who qualified for the program would be eligible to receive permanent residence in Canada. In an email, Michael Kwas, press secretary to Muhammad Yaseen, minister of immigration and multiculturalism said currently there are 67 rural areas designated in the Rural Renewal Stream program and over 780 nominations have been issued since late last year.

https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/are-foreign-workers-moving-to-rural-communities-7641911

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Auto theft is on the rise in Alberta, and its disproportionately northern communities seeing the biggest spike in stolen vehicles. An analysis of key crime indicator statistics from 151 Alberta RCMP detachments by Great West Media compared reported vehicle thefts from January to June 2023 with the same period in 2022. Grande Prairie, Wood Buffalo, St. Albert and Cold Lake topped the list of the communities with the greatest number increase in stolen vehicles in the first six months this year, with Strathcona County, Lac La Biche, and Athabasca following close behind.

https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/athabasca-news/northern-communities-see-surge-in-vehicle-thefts-7642133

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ATHABASCA — The Pleasant Valley Lodge is one step closer to building a new six-figure gazebo and walking path, with Phase 1 tentatively slated to begin this fall.  The Athabasca Lions Club presented a cheque for $1,000 to lodge manager Wanda Loiselle Aug. 11 in front of a small gathering of lodge residents. The funds will go towards a project dubbed the 'PVL Resident Park' which includes the construction of a gazebo and gathering area as well as a paved walkway which Loiselle says is aimed at improving the quality of life for current and future residents.

https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/athabasca-news/pleasant-valley-lodge-a-step-closer-to-breaking-ground-on-six-figure-project-7430516

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