You may have seen news coverage over the past few weeks about the federal government’s planned cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) – the program that provides essential healthcare coverage to refugees and refugee claimants in Canada.
As of May 1, the government has introduced co-payments for essential services, including $4 per prescription and 30% cost-sharing for emergency dental, mental health counselling, vision care, and physiotherapy. For someone surviving on social assistance of $733 a month, these charges can mean going without care entirely.
As people directly involved in refugee sponsorship and settlement, we’ve seen firsthand how difficult the early months in Canada can be. These cuts make that harder.
The No Cuts to Care Coalition — a coast-to-coast network of healthcare workers — is calling on Canadians to take action. Here’s how you can help:
- Write or call your Liberal MP and ask them to reverse the IFHP co-payments. You can find your MP at ourcommons.ca.
- Send a letter of support on behalf of your organization to the coalition at notoifhcuts@gmail.com or contact Dr. Vanessa Redditt at vredditt@gmail.com.
- Amplify the campaign on social media by following and sharing @no.cuts.to.care on Instagram.
Dozens of national health organizations have already spoken out, including the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Pediatric Society. Canada reversed similar cuts in 2012 after a federal court ruled them a Charter violation. It can happen again, but it requires public pressure.
Thank you for everything you do to support refugees and newcomers to Canada. Your voice matters here too.