Canada faces calls to rescind planned cuts to refugee healthcare scheme

Canada Faces Calls to Rescind Planned Cuts to Refugee Healthcare Scheme
Al Jazeera, April 14, 2026

Rallies were held across Canada on April 14, 2026, as part of a national day of action against planned changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides basic health coverage to refugees and asylum claimants not covered by provincial insurance. The cuts, announced in late January and set to take effect May 1, would introduce a $4 co-payment per prescription and require refugees to cover 30 per cent of supplemental services including dental, vision, and mental health care.

Health workers and refugee rights advocates warned the changes would function as a de facto denial of care for the most vulnerable newcomers. Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association, wrote directly to Canada's health minister cautioning that when patients cannot afford medications, preventable conditions worsen and ultimately drive up emergency and hospital costs, increasing both human suffering and system-wide expenditures. Critics noted that similar cuts were made in 2012 under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, were later ruled by the Federal Court to amount to "cruel and unusual" treatment in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and were subsequently rescinded.

The cuts reflect a broader tightening of Canada's immigration policies under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has moved to reduce temporary visas and introduce new restrictions on asylum access amid rising public concern over cost of living and housing affordability. Advocates cautioned against scapegoating refugees for systemic pressures, arguing that underfunding preventive care ultimately costs the system more.

Read the full article on Al Jazeera.