Question 3: Why would we impose a waiting period on social services for newcomers?
Question 3
Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to quality for social support programs as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring all individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially-funded social support programs?
This referendum question asks Albertans to approve a blanket 12-month waiting period for all temporary residents (temporary foreign workers, international students, and refugee claimants) to access social support programs.
However, the government has not provided evidence that this is a problem that needs addressing. In fact, temporary residents are already not eligible for many support programs, and many other programs already have waiting periods in place.
How much are temporary residents using provincial social support programs?
On the website set up by the Government of Alberta to provide background on the referendum questions, it is estimated that non-permanent residents (temporary foreign workers, international students and refugee claimants) cost social services more than $100 million annually. It is not clear where the $100 million cost estimate comes from, nor how much any costs to social services are offset by the economic contributions and taxes paid by temporary residents.
While the website acknowledges that non-permanent residents are not eligible for programs like AISH and income support, it lists programs like the childcare subsidy, Alberta Child and Family Benefit and student aid as targets of this new initiative.
However, those programs already have conditions which limit their availability to temporary residents.
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit restricts eligibility to temporary residents who qualify for the federal Canada Child Benefit, which in turn restricts eligibility to temporary residents who have lived in Canada for at least 18 months and have a valid work or study permit beyond 18 months. As a result, there would be no savings if the Government of Alberta limited eligibility to temporary residents in Alberta for at least 12 months.
To be eligible for the Alberta childcare subsidy, temporary residents need to show that they meet the income requirements by showing their CRA Notice of Assessment, something that is only possible if they have lived in Canada for several months.
Only citizens and permanent residents are eligible for student aid for full-time or part-time studies.
What would be the impact of imposing the 12-month waiting period for all non-permanent residents?
The question lumps together very different categories of people: temporary foreign workers filling labour shortages, international students, spouses and children accompanying workers or students, and refugee claimants. The impact of withholding services for a year would vary with each group.
Alberta's economy relies on temporary foreign workers and international students in sectors such as health care, agriculture, hospitality, construction, and post-secondary education. A one-size-fits-all waiting period ignores the fact that most temporary residents are working, studying, and paying taxes while helping Alberta address labour shortages.
If Alberta wants temporary foreign workers and international students to come here, contribute to the economy, and eventually become permanent residents, policies that treat them differently for accessing services may discourage them from coming to Alberta.
Our view
We are voting NO on Question 3.