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Advocates flag contributions, not costs, of newcomers in Alberta referendum aftermath
Critics say the vote could deter newcomers as employers warn Alberta still needs workers in meat processing, seniors’ care and skilled trades.
- With 98 per cent of polls reporting in Monday's referendum, Alberta voters narrowly supported limiting or charging fees for provincially funded services based on immigration status.
- Premier Danielle Smith's government argued that providing health care and education to temporary residents costs the province $1 billion annually, citing strain on affordability and services.
- University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe found immigrants paid an estimated $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026, contributing nearly $1 billion after accounting for program costs.
- Faduma Ahmed, with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401, warned the results could worsen labour shortages, promising a "hard line" at the bargaining table to protect immigrant workers.
- Leah Lechelt, executive director of the Christian Health Association representing 22,000 Alberta staff, warned the referendum could make the province less attractive to newcomers at a time when jobs desperately need to be filled.
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12 Articles
The Toronto Star+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Advocates flag contributions, not costs, of newcomers in Alberta referendum aftermath
CALGARY - A union representative for a beef processing plant south of Calgary is warning of worsening labour shortages if immigration policy proposals that narrowly passed in Alberta's referendum are
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left7Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Left
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources lean Left
78% Left
L 78%
C 22%
Factuality
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