International students in Manitoba call for restoration of public health coverage

Judith Oviosun, one of the authors of the report, speaks at an event calling on the Manitoba government to reinstate public health coverage for international students.

A new report is demanding Manitoba’s NDP government immediately reinstate health coverage for international students.

The former Progressive Conservative government rescinded health coverage for international students in 2018, requiring them to obtain private insurance included in their tuition costs.

Now, a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says that’s led to some students paying out of pocket for services, while others forgo health care entirely out of fear of the cost.

During last fall’s provincial election campaign, the NDP vowed to reinstate the coverage if it formed government.

“While the NDP government has committed to reinstating public health care for international students, the reality and the fact is that we cannot afford to delay,” said Judith Oviosun, one of the authors of the report, during a news conference at the University of Winnipeg on Wednesday.

“Every day that passes by without access to health care coverage, this jeopardizes the well-being and lives of countless individuals within our community.”

The report includes stories from students about the impact the lack of public health coverage has had.

Some say that confusion over what is included in their private insurance plans means they don’t seek help, or pay for it with their own money.

Shaluckie Boatswain says a former colleague’s son fell ill earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a month-long stay at Health Sciences Centre and a $97,000 bill.

“At that time, he was not attending school. So when you’re not in school, usually international students are not covered, and they could not afford the money,” Boatswain told reporters at Wednesday’s news conference.

The family crowdfunded through the website GoFundMe to raise the money to cover the bill.

There are more than 20,000 international students in Manitoba.

Given that universities have brought in large numbers of international students in recent years — who pay significantly higher fees than Canadian students — Boatswain feels it’s time for the Manitoba government to take their concerns seriously.

Universities “depend a lot on international students, because … the revenue that they generate from international students is very high. They make a lot of money,” said Boatswain.

Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, in an emailed statement, said the NDP government has committed to restoring health coverage for international students, but did not provide a timeline for when that would happen.

“The former PC government cut this coverage for students, putting many students in very difficult and precarious positions,” they wrote.

Asagwara said they and Advanced Education Minister Renée Cable have been “actively working” to address the issue, and “that work is ongoing.”

International students do receive free coverage for vaccinations and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

Oviosun, who also serves as co-chair of the Health Care for All Coalition, said the government should also extend coverage to migrant workers and undocumented immigrants.