UMVA has learned that a shocking number of individuals denied refugee status are still tapping into Canada’s taxpayer‑funded health safety net.
According to information obtained by UMVA, roughly 74,000 failed refugee claimants—people who have been ordered to leave Canada—continue to receive the Interim Federal Health Program’s premium benefits, including physiotherapy, eye care and dental services.
The program, originally designed as a short‑term bridge until successful claimants qualify for provincial coverage, now costs close to $1 billion a year, a staggering rise from the $60 million baseline a few years ago.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that an additional 27,759 individuals are listed in a “wanted inventory,” meaning they have ignored removal orders and are actively being hunted down by immigration officials, yet still draw on the same costly health plan.
What makes the abuse possible is the program’s unusually generous scope—services that most Canadians must pay out‑of‑pocket for are freely provided to anyone with a pending claim.
Data shows that while resettled refugees typically transition off the program after three months, asylum seekers now linger for an average of four years, inflating expenses dramatically.
The majority of these long‑term beneficiaries arrived in Canada on student, visitor or temporary worker visas before filing asylum claims, accounting for about 79 % of new applications since 2023.
Policy changes introduced by the current government, such as co‑payments for prescription drugs, may shave off a fraction of the bill, but each month of delay in processing hearings adds another $70‑plus million to the annual cost.
UMVA’s findings paint a picture of a system that has been stretched far beyond its original intent, burdening taxpayers while rewarding those who exploit loopholes.
The revelation underscores an urgent need for reform, as the health program spirals toward a $1 billion price tag without clear safeguards to prevent abuse.
