In a significant move, the Conservative Party is poised to introduce a motion in the House of Commons that aims to reassess the health benefits currently extended to asylum seekers and impose stricter access regulations. This initiative has resurfaced amidst rising concerns regarding the costs associated with the interim federal health programme, which provides essential medical services to refugees and other protected individuals.
A Call for Reform
On Tuesday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre articulated his party’s stance through a video shared on social media, asserting that the time has come to take decisive action. “Enough is enough. We can’t allow foreign criminals to take advantage of our system, false refugee claims to overwhelm the services that you pay for,” he declared. This statement underscores the party’s commitment to tightening immigration policies, particularly in relation to health services.
The motion is rooted in a recent report by the parliamentary budget officer, highlighting a projected annual expenditure of $1.5 billion by 2028-29 for the interim federal health programme. This programme offers a variety of medical services, including routine care, hospital visits, and urgent treatments like dental and psychological care, to those seeking asylum in Canada.
Proposed Changes and Implications
The Conservative motion seeks to implement a comprehensive review of benefits granted to asylum claimants, focusing on identifying potential savings. It stipulates that individuals appealing rejected claims should only receive coverage for emergency and life-saving procedures. Additionally, the motion calls for an annual report to Parliament detailing the use of the programme, particularly concerning supplementary benefits, which are often not available to Canadian citizens.
Recent data from the parliamentary budget officer reveals a staggering increase in the number of beneficiaries under this health programme, rising to approximately 624,000 for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a sharp increase from about 200,000 in 2020-21. Most beneficiaries are asylum claimants, and the Immigration and Refugee Board currently faces a backlog of around 300,000 pending claims. However, figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicate that asylum claims fell significantly in 2025, dropping to nearly 108,000 from approximately 190,000 the previous year.
In response to the Conservative motion, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab highlighted ongoing legislative efforts aimed at curbing misuse of the asylum system. She referenced Bill C-12, introduced in November, which aims to enhance the processing of asylum claims. The bill proposes to render certain individuals ineligible for asylum, particularly those who have been in Canada for over a year or who submit claims more than 14 days post-entry via the US land border.
Financial Changes Ahead
In a bid to streamline costs associated with the interim federal health programme, the government is introducing a co-payment system for supplementary coverage and prescription medications, set to commence on May 1. This initiative was first outlined in the November federal budget as part of the IRCC’s objective to achieve a 15% reduction in expenditures over the next three years. Claimants will be responsible for 30% of the costs associated with supplementary services, including dental care and vision services, alongside a $4 fee for each eligible prescription filled.
The parliamentary budget officer did not include these forthcoming measures in their report due to time and data constraints. Historical context reveals that in 2014, the Conservative government under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper made significant cuts to supplementary coverage for certain refugee claimants. However, these changes were deemed unconstitutional by the Federal Court, leading to their eventual reversal by the Liberal government after forming office in 2015.
Stricter Measures for Foreign Criminals
Further intensifying the debate, Poilievre emphasised that the proposed motion would also advocate for stricter sentencing for foreign nationals convicted of crimes in Canada. The Conservatives are calling for judges to impose “the full sentence” on these individuals and ensure complete deportation of non-citizens found guilty of criminal activity. Current Canadian laws permit the deportation of foreign nationals and permanent residents convicted of crimes with sentences exceeding six months or for those facing a maximum sentence of ten years, regardless of the actual sentence length.
Why it Matters
The Conservative push to amend health provisions for asylum seekers reflects broader anxieties surrounding immigration and public expenditure in Canada. As the nation grapples with rising costs and an increasing influx of asylum claims, the proposed changes could significantly reshape the landscape of support services available to vulnerable populations. This motion not only signifies a shift in immigration policy but also raises critical questions about the balance between fiscal responsibility and humanitarian obligations in a country that prides itself on its commitment to protecting those in need.
