Subhead:Rejected asylum seekers have been receiving benefits like physiotherapy and free vision care while millions of Canadian citizens have no family doctor.#
The federal government spent more than $275 million providing healthcare coverage to asylum claimants whose refugee claims were ultimately rejected, according to a newly released written response tabled in the House of Commons.
The figures were disclosed in response to Written Question Q-916 from Conservative MP Burton Bailey, who asked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to detail costs under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) since 2016.
6 million Cdns have no family doctor, but the Libs blew $250M on healthcare for rejected asylum seekers – including services like free vision care & physio that Cdns have have access to.
$250M could’ve trained hundreds of doctors for Cdns.
Insane. ⬇️https://t.co/CO1n9dLuPm
— Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) April 23, 2026
The department reported that from fiscal year 2016–17 through 2024–25, total spending on rejected claimants reached approximately $275.2 million, covering basic medical care, supplemental health services, and immigration medical exams.
