The Pallister government has come under fire recently from both opposition parties following the announcement that the Province will no longer provide health coverage for international students.

Students from outside of Canada were first granted universal healthcare by the NDP government in 2012, and is estimated to cost the Province $3.1M per year.

Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle says that the Province is under no obligation to provide health insurance to anyone who doesn’t live here permanently. Bindle added that Manitoba’s health insurance plan is financed by taxpayers who live and work here, and that they’re not in a position to finance addition coverage for those who don’t pay into the system.

International students represent about 18% of the student body currently at the University of Manitoba.