Alberta’s immigration referendum raises concerns for temporary foreign workers

The long‑running pitch that “Alberta is calling” may soon sound different, as Premier Danielle Smith prepares to put sweeping immigration changes to a provincial vote.

In a televised address Thursday night, Smith said rapid population growth, nearly 600,000 new residents in five years, has strained schools, hospitals, and social programs. She argued that federal immigration policies have contributed to unsustainable budget pressures and that Alberta needs more control.

The proposed referendum, scheduled for Oct. 19, is already stirring uncertainty among the thousands of temporary foreign workers who help power Alberta’s tourism and service sectors.

For many temporary foreign workers, the announcement has added a layer of anxiety to what is already a precarious path toward permanent residency.

“I’m working towards my permanent residency right now,” says Joel Sheena, who moved from the U.K. to work in Banff.

The referendum will ask Albertans to weigh in on five major proposals, including whether provincially funded programs such as health care, education, and social services should be limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with an “Alberta‑approved” immigration status.

Other questions include imposing a 12‑month residency requirement for non‑permanent residents seeking social supports, charging fees for their use of health and education systems, and requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

Some worry about the human impact of restricting access to essential services. Mini Roveglia, an Australian worker, said the proposals feel out of step with the values that drew her to Canada.

“In Australia we get a lot of immigrants too, but everyone is human,” she said. “I feel no one should be denied basic healthcare anywhere.”

Local businesses, especially in tourism‑driven communities like Banff, say the changes could be devastating. Many rely heavily on workers from abroad, particularly those on International Experience Canada (IEC) permits, commonly known as “type 58” permits, which allow young people from partner countries to work in Canada for up to two years.

“We totally rely on the temporary foreign worker program,” said Dave Frick, owner of Bear Street Outfitters. “People want to come here, they want to work here, but if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be able to operate.”

Smith has argued that open work permits and access to provincial health care create additional strain on the system. But some workers say their actual use of services is minimal.

“I don’t know about that,” said Tom Chandler, another worker from the U.K. “I think I’ve been to the doctor maybe once in my over a year stay here.”

Roveglia added that IEC participants must already show proof of private insurance before arriving.

“To get a two‑year working visa, you need to show proof that you have two years of insurance,” she said.

Business owners fear that if the referendum passes, Alberta could become a less attractive destination for young workers abroad, leaving employers scrambling.

“I know we had to go and get everyone from Canada to come and work,” Frick said. “We’ve tried before, and it doesn’t work. We need that temporary foreign worker.”

The referendum is set for Oct. 19. The full list of questions can be found here.