Newcomer in Saskatchewan seeking health care coverage during immigration permit renewal

Some immigrants living in Saskatchewan say they’re having trouble accessing healthcare. Keenan Sorokan reports.

An immigrant living in Saskatoon is struggling to access provincial health care while he awaits a decision on his work permit application.

Yuriy Pogrebnyy settled in Saskatoon after fleeing Ukraine three and a half years ago. Using a Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa, Pogrebnyy had health coverage during his time in Saskatchewan as any citizen would.

Three weeks ago, he had an “incident” that needed medical attention but was told he would have to pay out of pocket for any services because his health card had expired.

“I have a problem if I am sick today,” he told reporters. “I pay taxes. I try building a future. I do not have any coverage. I can’t go to a hospital.”

Pogrebnyy is in Saskatchewan under implied, or maintained, status. Under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules, maintained status is when an immigrant extends a work permit before it expires, which allows the person to receive services while their application is processed.

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With processing taking many weeks or even many months, many people legally in Canada work for months until their work permit is renewed.

The Saskatchewan NDP say they’ve heard of many people like Pogrebnyy who are being told they cannot freely access health care until their work permit is valid.

“I talked to a woman who’s awaiting life-saving surgery who isn’t sure if she can afford it or how you’ll pay for it,” NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson said. “I want to be really, really clear. This is a profoundly wrong thing that the government has done.”

Regardless of whether these instances are from oversight or a new policy directive, Jorgenson said it should not be happening.

“We have a group of people who are working and paying taxes but are not allowed to access health care benefits,” Jorgenson said.

Rather than relying on proof of application, Jorgenson says immigrants reaching out to him have been told by health officials that it is no longer sufficient, and a valid work permit is needed.

While the province isn’t able to discuss specific cases because of confidentiality laws, it says no recent changes have been made to longstanding policies within The Medical Care Insurance Act and The Medical Care Insurance Beneficiary and Administration Regulations, which define health care coverage for immigrants in Saskatchewan.

In a statement to CTV News, the province says an active work or study permit from IRCC is required to hold a health card.

Health card holders on implied status need to provide proof they have applied to renew or extend their work or study permits in advance of their current permit expiry date. A one-time six-month extension can be given while they await a decision from IRCC.

“Each health card application is reviewed using the information and supporting documentation provided to determine whether the individual meets the established eligibility requirements,” the statement read.