Alberta taxpayers are subsidizing a $850 million net loss in 2025 after temporary foreign workers and their families consumed roughly $1 billion in provincial health care, education, and social services — while delivering only $150 million in tax revenue.
Premier Danielle Smith highlighted the imbalance, noting roughly 180,000 foreign workers in the province alongside broader temporary residents straining the system. This includes hundreds of millions for educating tens of thousands of their children and significant health costs.
At the same time, Alberta’s youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) sits at 13.9% — far above the overall provincial rate — leaving many young Albertans struggling to find entry-level jobs while businesses turn to the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Ottawa’s program makes it easier and cheaper for employers to hire temporary foreign workers, including recent expansions allowing rural businesses to fill up to 15% of their workforce with low-wage foreign labour. Critics argue this creates strong incentives to bypass local workers, especially youth, in favour of the federal pathway.
The UCP government is pushing the 2026 Alberta Referendum to limit full benefits for non-permanent residents, charge premiums where appropriate, and prioritize Albertans for jobs and services.
