Referendum
Your voice, your decision.
Health & Dental Referendum
The Health and Dental Plan fee has remained unchanged for 12 years.
“Do you support increasing the fee to $249 per year, with CPI indexing, to maintain current benefits?”
Why the increase?
Even with a proposed increase, the SUS Health and Dental Plan remains one of the most affordable and competitive plans in the country(see the chart below). The fee has not changed in 12 years, while the cost of providing comprehensive health coverage for you has continued to rise.
From prescriptions and eye exams to dental care, physio, and mental health supports, this plan is here to cover you up while you’re at UFV. One appointment or prescription can easily cost more than the entire annual fee, so the plan can make a real difference when you need it.
Updating the fee will keep your current benefits in place and ensure the plan stays reliable and sustainable for the long term. You’ll still have the option to opt out if you already have equivalent coverage, giving you flexibility while keeping strong, affordable coverage available for students who need it.
What if the Referendum doesn’t pass?
If the referendum doesn't pass, changes to the Health and Dental Plan will be required. The current fee is no longer enough to cover the full cost of providing the existing benefits.
This would mean reductions to the plan, such as lower coverage limits, reduced annual maximums, or the removal of certain benefits. We hope this will not be the case, as our goal is to ensure you continue to have access to strong, reliable health and dental coverage that supports your well-being throughout your time at UFV.
Implementation Details
If approved, the $249 Health and Dental Plan fee increase will be implemented in 2026/2027 and adjusted each year beginning in 2027/2028 based on CPI indexing.
The fee will:
Apply to all eligible students enrolled in the plan.
Continue to allow opt-out for students who have equivalent coverage.
What is CPI Indexing?
If approved, the annual Health and Dental Plan fee will be adjusted each year based on the official Canadian Consumer Price Index published by Statistics Canada. The CPI rate used will be the most recent published national CPI available prior to March 1 of each year.
CPI Indexing means:
The fee may increase in line with inflation.
The adjustment will be applied once per academic year.
The adjusted fee will take effect in the Fall semester.
Any fee adjustments will not exceed the published CPI rate.
Example: If the annual CPI rate published in January is 1%, the fee would increase by 1% the following academic year. If CPI is 0%, there would be no increase.
Voting
From March 2nd - 5th, during the 2026 Election period, a special ballot will be sent to your UFV student email. Make sure to vote for the changes you wish to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A referendum is a vote where all SUS members (students who are enrolled and have paid SUS fees) get to decide directly on a specific question that affects student life. It is allows SUS members vote yes or no on a clearly worded proposal rather than leaving the decision to representatives.
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A referendum matters because it gives students real decision making power. Instead of just hoping that someone speaks on our behalf, we get to vote on issues that impact our fees, services, student spaces, resources, or the way our student union operates.
Referendums also make sure important changes have proper support. SUS only acts on a referendum if at least five percent of students vote and if the majority approves the change. This protects the integrity of the process and makes sure the result reflects meaningful student involvement.
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Stay informed
You can learn about upcoming referendums by watching for SUS posters, website updates, and press releases. These are shared at least thirty days before voting starts, and they give you a chance to understand what the question is about. SUS also hosts question and answer sessions on the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses where you can talk directly with the referendum organizers.
Vote during the polling period
Voting is online, which makes it easy for all students to participate. The poll stays open for at least seventy two hours over at least four business days, so students have time to read up on the issue and submit their vote. Every SUS member gets one vote.