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Alberta pauses health-care coverage change for some international work permit holders
Alberta paused health coverage cuts for temporary foreign workers after concerns about impacts on seasonal hiring in tourism-dependent communities, officials said.
- On Feb. 9, 2026, the Alberta government said it is pausing a policy that would end health coverage for some temporary foreign workers, including working-holiday youth.
- Introduced Jan. 7, the policy change drew attention after a CBC News report last week, prompting scrutiny from officials and community leaders.
- Bow Valley officials say the region relies heavily on seasonal and temporary foreign workers, and employers expect to hire in the next eight weeks as they prepare for summer using Type 58 permits valid for two years.
- Tineke van der Merwe, Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, welcomed the pause and said they need a timeline and clarity, adding `However, we continue to urgently seek clarity`; Kyle Warner, with the ministry of primary and preventive health, called the original change a "premature decision."
- Mayor Richard Ireland warned Friday that matters affecting temporary foreign workers affect the entire community, and Bow Valley Immigration Partnership's van der Merwe said clear public information and timelines for employers are currently lacking, complicating planning in the town of Jasper.
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Alberta reconsiders cutting health coverage for some temporary foreign workers after concerns raised
Alberta is reviewing a health coverage change that left some temporary foreign workers without provincial care earlier this year. Meanwhile, the government confirms Type 58 visa holders can apply once again for health care.
·Canada
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castanet.net+8 Reposted by 8 other sources
Alberta pauses health-care coverage change for some international work permit holders
The Alberta government is hitting pause on a recent policy change cutting off health coverage for some temporary foreign workers, including youth coming to Canada on working vacations. The province quietly introduced the change Jan. 7, but it did not receive widespread attention until a CBC News sto...
·Kelowna, Canada
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Left
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
63% Left
L 63%
C 37%
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