In a significant move, the Conservative Party has announced plans to introduce a motion in the House of Commons aimed at reassessing health benefits for asylum seekers and tightening access to these services. The proposed motion, set for discussion on Tuesday, also includes calls for the immediate deportation of foreign nationals who have been convicted of crimes in Canada. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about the financial implications of the interim federal health programme, which is projected to reach an annual cost of £1.5 billion by 2028-29.
Conservative Leader’s Stance
Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, articulated his party’s position in a social media video released on Monday. He stated, “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.” This statement underscores a broader Conservative narrative that seeks to highlight perceived abuses within Canada’s immigration and healthcare systems.
The interim federal health programme extends a range of medical services to asylum seekers, refugees, and other protected persons, including routine care, hospital visits, and urgent dental procedures. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), the number of beneficiaries has surged from approximately 200,000 in 2020-21 to an anticipated 624,000 in 2024-25, predominantly driven by a rising number of asylum claimants.
Proposed Changes to Health Benefits
The Conservative motion proposes a thorough review of the health benefits offered to asylum claimants, aiming to identify potential savings. It advocates for limiting coverage for those appealing rejected claims to only emergency and life-saving care. Furthermore, the motion calls for an annual report to Parliament detailing programme usage, especially concerning supplementary benefits that are generally not available to Canadian citizens.

Currently, the Immigration and Refugee Board is grappling with around 300,000 pending asylum claims. While there has been a notable reduction in asylum claims, dropping approximately one-third from the previous year to just under 108,000, the Conservatives remain adamant that a stricter approach is necessary.
Government’s Response and Bill C-12
In response to the Conservative proposals, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab referenced the government’s recent initiatives, including Bill C-12, which aims to tackle the misuse of the asylum system. She asserted that the government is committed to controlling costs while genuinely safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
Bill C-12, introduced in November, proposes to streamline the processing of asylum claims by establishing criteria that could render specific individuals ineligible. This includes those who have been in Canada for over a year or those who apply for asylum more than 14 days after entering through a land border with the United States. The bill also stipulates that the Immigration and Refugee Board should only adjudicate claims from those physically present in Canada.
In addition, the government plans to implement a co-pay system for supplementary coverage and prescription drugs under the interim federal health programme, starting on 1 May. This change, initially outlined in the November budget, is expected to generate 15% savings over the next three years. As per the new regulations, claimants will be responsible for 30% of costs associated with supplementary services, and will incur a £4 fee for each eligible prescription filled.
The Historical Context of Health Coverage
Historically, the federal health programme has undergone significant changes. Under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, supplementary coverage was curtailed for privately sponsored refugee claimants and those who sought asylum after arriving in Canada. However, following a 2014 Federal Court ruling that deemed these changes a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Conservative government appealed. After the Liberals assumed power in 2015, they opted to withdraw the appeal and reinstated the programme.

Focus on Crime and Deportation Policies
On the crime front, Poilievre’s motion seeks to ensure that judges impose maximum sentences on foreign nationals convicted of crimes, coupled with effective deportation measures for non-citizens. Current laws permit the deportation of foreign nationals and permanent residents guilty of crimes with sentences of up to ten years, regardless of the length of the actual sentence.
Individuals facing deportation under these laws retain access to various appeal options, which adds another layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration and criminal justice.
Why it Matters
The proposed Conservative motion marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over Canada’s immigration policies and the allocation of health resources. As the government grapples with the implications of rising costs associated with asylum seekers, the motion reflects broader anxieties within certain segments of the population regarding the perceived strains on public services. This situation not only reveals the complexities of balancing humanitarian responsibilities with fiscal prudence but also raises critical questions about the future of Canada’s immigration system and its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.