Dozens rally in Vancouver to demand end of health-care fees for international students
Dozens marched from Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station to Health Minister Adrian Dix's office Thursday evening to protest the fee B.C. charges international students for health care.
The province implemented the fee in September 2019, as it was phasing out Medical Services Plan premiums for everyone else in the province. Anyone with a study permit is charged $75 per month.
Organizers of the protest argue the additional cost is unfair to international students, who already pay high tuition fees and rent.
"It's very exclusionary and very unjust," said Rahil Adeli, a recent graduate and former international student from Iran.
"A fair society should be equitable for everyone, and it doesn't matter if I pay this fee or not, we need to speak up for the rights of all people, our friends, everyone in our society," she continued.
Another organizer said it's upsetting to see how many people are impacted by the fee.
"It makes me angry to see the government caving into racist attacks on international students and imposing a fee on international students who are struggling," said Omar Chu of Sanctuary Health.
"We're supposed to live in a universal health-care system, and part of universality is making sure that everyone who is covered by health care has equal access," he added.
While Dix's office was closed, the protest was a symbolic gesture to raise awareness of the issue.
"They think that international students are here to pay, they're here to make money for the province, and that's not a fair way to treat international students," said Cameron Anderson, an international student from the United States.
"They don't need to do this. They're doing it because they can and because a lot of people don't care," he added.
CTV News reached out to the province for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.