Health care for refugees is again sparking debate in Ottawa

Conservative MPs moved to narrow the Interim Federal Health Program for some refugee and asylum claimants, prompting a House debate; the motion was defeated with Liberal, Bloc and NDP MPs voting against it.

Conservative MPs introduced a motion to limit parts of the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides health-care benefits to refugee and asylum claimants in Canada. The proposal would narrow federal coverage in some cases, focusing on emergency, life‑saving care for certain rejected claimants. The debate followed a Parliamentary Budget Officer report showing a large increase in IFHP spending in recent years. The motion was put to a vote and was defeated in the House of Commons. Key points: - Conservative leaders proposed removing non-emergency benefits for some claimants as a cost-control measure. - The House vote rejected the Conservative motion, with Liberal, Bloc Québécois and NDP MPs voting against it. - The Parliamentary Budget Officer reported that IFHP costs rose from $226 million in 2021 to $896 million in 2025 and projected further growth by 2030. Summary: The debate revived memories of the 2012 IFHP changes that were later found by a Federal Court judge to violate the Charter. Undetermined at this time.