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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Immigration Questions in Alberta Referendum Spark Anxiety
Anna Tselukhina, a mother of two who fled war-torn Ukraine in 2022, is among thousands of Ukrainians who have sought safety and a new beginning in Calgary, Alberta. However, the upcoming October 19 referendum, which includes several immigration-related questions, has created a sense of "total uncertainty" for her family's future.
Potential Changes to Public Services Access
The referendum, which poses 10 questions to Albertans, features five that specifically address immigration. These questions propose limits on eligibility for public services, mandatory waiting periods before non-permanent residents can access social programs, and the introduction of fees for access to public health care and education. Tselukhina fears such changes may impact her family’s ability to stay in Alberta. "Will we have to pay for medical insurance? For education? We don't know," she said, pointing to the many unknowns her family now faces.
Ukrainian Immigrants Face Limbo Under Temporary Programs
Most Ukrainians arriving in Canada after Russia’s February 2022 invasion did so under the federal Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. This temporary initiative was designed to expedite arrivals but does not offer a direct path to permanent residency. Around 43,500 Ukrainians with temporary status are currently in Alberta, according to federal data as of July 31. Only about 6,500 have applied for permanent residency. With the war ongoing and no indication of a return home, many, including Tselukhina, are hoping to settle more permanently in Canada.
Financial Impact of Proposed Healthcare and Education Fees
Immigration consultant Tetiana Karbovanets, based in Calgary, has noted significant apprehension among her Ukrainian clients. Question four of the referendum proposes that non-permanent residents, including potentially CUAET visa holders, could be charged a "reasonable fee or premium" to access the public health care and education systems. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has suggested a $1,900 annual health care fee, similar to premiums charged in the United Kingdom. "A lot of Ukrainians are struggling [in Alberta]. They are having, like, low-paid positions… So this is a huge concern for them, " Karbovanets explained. The possibility of additional costs may prompt some to consider relocating to other provinces.
Uncertainty Over Who Will Be Affected
One point of confusion arises from the proposal to limit public services to non-permanent residents with an "Alberta-approved immigration status," a designation not currently defined. Provincial officials, including Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, have yet to clarify if or how such a status would apply to Ukrainians or other temporary residents. Schow emphasized the need for a sustainable immigration program but did not provide concrete details on the policy's implementation. Karbovanets highlighted that Ukrainians in Alberta on temporary status are not refugees; they pay taxes and cover their own housing without additional supports, putting them on the same footing as other temporary residents.
Potential Social Impacts and Community Concerns
Mariana Sirko, a cultural coordinator with the European Cultural Society of Calgary, voiced concerns that distinctions created by the proposed policies—such as "Alberta-approved" status—could foster division among immigrant communities. While some might welcome exemptions for Ukrainians, "the situation of picking someone will create questions between different groups and throughout the time, those prejudices could grow. We want to live with mutual support and respect with other groups," Sirko said.
For Tselukhina and others, uncertainty persists as they await the referendum outcome and subsequent decisions by Alberta's legislature. "You just depend on the results of the voting and then you still depend on the officials because obviously it will be them who will decide who will be included in that group, who will be exempt from any kind of influence of the results of this referendum," she said.
Source: cbc.ca.
