TIES Cautions Against Cutting Social Support to Some Immigrants in Alberta

TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) is urging Alberta to carefully weigh all the pros and the cons before withholding social programs to certain immigrants in the province.

“It would do a disservice to everyone — not only immigrants — but to society as a whole,” TIES President & CEO Sally Zhao said.

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The idea is being floated as part of the Alberta Next plan.

A 15-member panel, along with Alberta’s premier, will tour the province this summer consulting with citizens on potential referendum questions.  

Albertans are also being asked to take part in several online surveys, including one on immigration.

Participants first view a video, which questions whether they’re onboard with Ottawa’s immigration policy.

The video then points out Alberta has options, including refusing to provide programs to non-citizens and non-permanent residents, “unless they have been granted an Alberta government-approved immigration permit.”

Why?  

The UCP points to growing problems, created it says by the federal government allowing “…millions annually to enter Canada, often without any sort of proper vetting, job prospects or needed employment skills.”

“The results have been disastrous. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and unemployment keeps increasing as immigration outpaces job growth,” Press Secretary Sam Blackett told TIES.

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But Zhao, who heads one of the largest immigrant-serving agencies in the province, pointed out it’s not as simple as that.  

She said there are many factors contributing to Alberta’s challenges and added that immigrants help ease those challenges.

“Immigrants are filling service gaps in critical sectors,” Zhao counters. “Healthcare, elder care, construction and other frontline services.”

“They are contributing greatly to our growth, our social cohesiveness and culture, and the prosperity of the economy.”

The UCP says while the federal government decides who is let into Canada, provinces pay for most of the social programs they need once they settle in, and current immigration levels are unsustainable.

“We should have a say about who is coming here,” Blackett pointed out. “If Alberta isn’t satisfied with the number or kind of newcomers moving to our province, Albertans may have the option to withhold provincial social programs.”

“I totally understand that everywhere, including here in Alberta, we don’t have an unending pool of money,” Zhao agreed. “But if we withhold these essential services, we are doing the society a disservice. A great disservice.”

“We’ve allowed immigrants into Alberta, and to make Alberta their home — we should allow them the same services as we all get.”

Zhao urges the province to seriously consider the impacts of such a move, adding that it may end up doing more harm than good. She said it could cost society more in the end to withhold essential services, which empower immigrants to give back and contribute to Alberta’s economic growth.  

“We do believe that together we are stronger. Let’s work together.”

Immigrants that are citizens, permanent residents and those Alberta provides an immigration permit such as economic migrants, would still be eligible for the available programs.

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Additional Resources:

https://globalnews.ca/video/11261727/alberta-next-survey-asks-if-province-should-withhold-social-services-for-some-immigrants-2/

https://www.albertanextpanel.ca/survey/survey-immigration

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Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002

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