Discussion · Oral Questions
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal
“Both Conservative and Liberal governments have supported health care for asylum seekers for decades. The program costs more now because more people are seeking asylum here. We are working to lower costs by making people pay for part of their care starting in May.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to the interim federal health program, a program that has been in existence since the 1950s, a program that has been supported by successive Conservative and Liberal governments. Yes, this program does provide health care for people seeking asylum. What have we seen since 2015? We have seen a mass displacement crisis across the world. Canada has seen a mass increase as a result of people seeking asylum in this country. The program’s costs obviously have grown dramatically since then. What have we done? We have worked to bring down costs, putting in place a copayment system that is going into effect in May.”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to the interim federal health program, a program that has been in existence since the 1950s, a program that has been supported by successive Conservative and Liberal governments. Yes, this program does provide health care for people seeking asylum. What have we seen since 2015? We have seen a mass displacement crisis across the world. Canada has seen a mass increase as a result of people seeking asylum in this country. The program’s costs obviously have grown dramatically since then. What have we done? We have worked to bring down costs, putting in place a copayment system that is going into effect in May.