Canadians spend $1 billion annually on refugee health care

The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer reports that Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program will cost around $1 billion this year, a five-fold increase from 2017, and projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029. Many beneficiaries, including rejected asylum claimants, receive more comprehensive care than some Canadian citizens, raising concerns amid a shortage of family doctors. Currently, 299,614 foreign nationals await refugee claim reviews, a dramatic increase since 2015. This influx, partly due to illegal border crossings and expired visas, is causing significant federal spending spikes.

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