AUFA strongly supports the Respect Vegreville campaign and calls upon Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to stop plans to relocate the Vegreville Immigration Centre to Edmonton. This closure will affect roughly 280 jobs and devastate the town. Rural communities have been hit especially hard during the economic downturn in Alberta, and it is vital that there be stable public sector employment in rural Alberta.
The Respect Vegreville campaign is a social media campaign organized by the Public Service Alliance of Canada to keep the Immigration Centre in Vegreville and save rural jobs. They're asking supporters to write to Immigration Minister Ahemd Hussen, print and share the campaign poster, and share their support on social media.
Many AUFA members and executive officers are located in the town of Athabasca, and we stand by our rural community. Pictured left to right are Treasurer James Haubrich, Executive Director Nick Driedger, Vice-President Rachel Conroy, and Secretary Dave Powell, all proud Athabasca residents.