I would like to address some of the inaccurate and misleading assertions Stanbrook made in his editorial in CMAJ.1
Stanbrook states “that the cuts to health coverage have, in particular, denied refugees access to primary and preventive care.” That is absolutely false. Through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), all genuine refugees in Canada receive primary health care coverage that is similar to that received under provincial or territorial health care programs.
Underlying the decision to reform the IFHP was the principle that those seeking asylum are not entitled to more generous benefits than those that Canadian taxpayers and legal immigrants receive.
Canada is second to none in its generosity and fairness toward newcomers, as shown by our world-leading refugee resettlement system. But, Canada has no tolerance for those who take advantage of its generosity.
Recent changes to the IFHP should ensure that those who were rejected asylum no longer receive tax-payer–funded benefits that are more generous than those provided to Canadians.
With the recent reforms to the IFHP and the new asylum system in Canada, genuine refugees are getting the protection they need sooner. Failed asylum claimants with unfounded claims are being removed from Canada more quickly, and the generosity of Canadian taxpayers is no longer being abused.