Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

During question period on immigration, Conservative members pressed the government over interim health benefits for rejected asylum claimants, citing a case of a rejected claimant with a violent history and noting that thousands of rejected claimants with deportation orders remain in Canada. They asked why rejected claimants receive health coverage and where those with outstanding deportation orders are. Liberal ministers responded that the interim health program provides limited, temporary coverage for vulnerable people, that claimant volumes have dropped, and that their budget and border bill (Bill C-12) will produce savings, adding that the Canada Border Services Agency removed over 23,000 people last year and is on track to continue that trend.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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3 statements

Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal
“This program provides limited, basic health care to vulnerable people. The number of people using it dropped by 59 percent. Our changes will save taxpayers more than 200 million dollars a year.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I have said the last number of days, the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed what we already know and that is this health program provides limited, temporary, essential health coverage for vulnerable people. The cost is tied to volumes. The good news is our volumes have gone down by 59%. Taxpayers will save over $200 million annually because of the IFHP changes that we have instituted.

Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal
“Our budget and our border bill will save $400 million on temporary health care. That is because our bill helped lower the number of people seeking asylum.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians need to know is that, because of a Liberal budget and because of a Liberal bill, Bill C-12, and as confirmed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, there will be $400 million in savings, $200 million plus another $200 million, in the interim health care coverage, because asylum numbers have gone down and because we brought forth Bill C-12 to curb exactly those situations.

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“Border officers removed over 23,000 people who were not allowed to be in Canada last year. They are on track to do the same this year to keep Canadians safe.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me just confirm that last year the Canada Border Services Agency removed an incredible number of individuals who were ineligible to be here in Canada. Over 23,000 individuals were removed. This year, the CBSA is on target to continue that trend and to ensure those who are ineligible to be in Canada are removed expeditiously. Our men and women of the CBSA are working hard each and every day to ensure the safety and security of Canadians, and we will continue on that path.

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