February 23, 2026
RED FM News Desk
The Conservative Party is planning to introduce a significant motion in the House of Commons this Tuesday, aimed at reviewing and restricting healthcare benefits provided to asylum seekers in Canada. The move comes amid rising concerns over the rapidly inflating costs of federal support programs.
According to the draft motion, the cost of the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) has more than quadrupled since the 2020 fiscal year. Citing data from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), the party noted that spending on the program jumped from $211 million in 2020-21 to a projected $896 million for 2024-25. The PBO further estimates that annual expenditures could reach $1.5 billion by 2028-29.
The Conservative Party is demanding a comprehensive audit of the benefits provided to asylum seekers to ensure fiscal responsibility. A key pillar of their proposal suggests that asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected and are currently in the appeals process should be restricted to receiving only emergency and life-saving medical services.
Government statistics indicate that approximately 624,000 people are beneficiaries of the IFHP in 2024-25. Despite the rising costs, there has been a notable shift in migration patterns; asylum claims in 2025 have reportedly dropped by one-third, falling from 190,000 to 108,000.
In response to these fiscal pressures, the federal government is already moving to implement new cost-cutting measures effective May 1. Under these upcoming rules, asylum seekers will be required to pay a 30% co-pay for supplemental services such as dental care, vision exams, and prescription drugs, along with a $4 fee for each medication dispensed.
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