Canada injects financial contributions into the refugee health program amid rising costs

Ottawa — The Canadian government announced amendments to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which impose partial financial contributions on some health services provided to asylum seekers and refugees, in a step aimed at containing the rapid rise in program costs.
Under the amendments, which come into effect on May 1, 2026, beneficiaries will be required to pay four dollars for each prescription, in addition to bearing 30% of the cost of supplementary health services, including some dental, vision services, and non-essential medical devices.
The government confirmed that basic healthcare, including doctor visits and hospital treatment, will remain fully covered without any fees, and medical examinations related to immigration procedures for specific categories will continue to be covered according to applicable conditions.
These changes come in the context of a sharp increase in program costs in recent years, driven by the rise in the number of asylum seekers, which prompted authorities to restructure coverage while maintaining the minimum necessary services.
In contrast, the amendments do not include new fees for work or study permits for asylum seekers while awaiting decisions on their applications, contrary to what has been circulated in some inaccurate reports.
Observers believe that introducing these contributions, despite their limited nature, may constitute an additional burden on asylum seekers, especially amid rising living costs and the housing crisis in several Canadian cities, which may affect their ability to access some non-essential health services.
Ottawa emphasizes that the goal of this step is to achieve a balance between continuing to provide humanitarian support and controlling public spending, without compromising the basic health services provided to the most vulnerable groups.