Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

During question period on immigration, a Conservative member said Canadians paid over $275 million in health care costs for rejected refugee claimants over ten years, and argued rejected claimants should not receive care that many Canadians without a family doctor cannot get; he asked the Prime Minister to stop scams and acknowledge a loss of control over immigration. The Liberal minister responded that asylum claims have fallen by two-thirds compared to last year, that the program represents 0.2% of total health spending, and that Bill C-12 will help reduce asylum volumes further; she also said the opposition should correct its facts about vulnerable people. No other topics dominated the exchange.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Health care costs for asylum seekers depend on how many arrive. Asylum claims have dropped by two-thirds compared to last year. This bill will help lower those numbers even more.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the cost of health care for an asylum claimant is tied to volumes. The good news is that the asylum claims have gone down. If we compare the first two months of this year to 2024, it has gone down by two-thirds. That is good news for Canada, and with Bill C-12, we will continue to reduce those claims.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“This program costs only 0.2 percent of Canada's total health spending. The Conservatives need to get their facts right and stop scaring people about vulnerable people who need our help. We will keep protecting everyone in Canada.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the program the member is speaking about represents 0.2% of the total health spending for Canada. I think the Conservatives had better get their facts straight and stop fearmongering off of the backs of people who are vulnerable and need to be protected. We will continue to do what is right for Canadians to protect Canadians and everyone in Canada.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 109

All 48 items ·
  1. Government Orders Government Orders 122 statements
  2. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  3. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 3 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 7 statements
  6. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Small Business 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions Aerospace Industry 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions International Trade 10 statements
  14. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
  15. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  17. Oral Questions Mental Health and Addictions 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Infrastructure 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Pharmacare 3 statements
  21. Oral Questions Business of the House 3 statements
  22. Government Orders Government Business No. 9—Changes to Standing Orders 64 statements
  23. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  24. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  25. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  26. Oral Questions Finance 3 statements
  27. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  28. Oral Questions Health 4 statements
  29. Private Members' Business National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act 12 statements
  30. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  31. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  32. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements