Health Committee on Nov. 20th, 2025

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Okay.

For these people who are coming into Canada on bogus asylum claims and receiving health care funded by Canadian tax dollars, including supplementary care like dental, vision, medical devices and mental health services that many Canadians don't even receive, do we know how long the coverage lasts if they're rejected?

[Soyoung Park]

It lasts until either their status changes and they're covered under provincial health care or they depart Canada.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

According to a government brief from June 2025, in fiscal year 2024-25 alone, you provided health care coverage for 623,365 beneficiaries, including 440,000 asylum claimants with expenses of $900 million.

Does the department break down the number of people based on the groups listed on the website?

For example, how many asylum claimants, how many detainees and how many individuals are granted eligibility at the minister's discretion? Is there a breakdown?

[Soyoung Park]

Are you asking about eligibility? I'm not sure how you're using the term “eligibility” there.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

I'm looking for a breakdown. We have these large numbers. A lot of money is being spent on health care.

I would like to know how many the minister, at her discretion, allowed this health care. I'd like to know how many asylum claimants and how many detainees there are.

[Soyoung Park]

I can tell you that of that number, about 440,537 are in fact asylum claimants.

However, as you will note, just because you are an asylum claimant, it doesn't mean that there has been a determination of whether or not it is a founded claim.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Yes, I actually said that number, but that's okay.

Do you not think it's in Canadians' interests and the best interests of the federal government to know what kind of people are entering into this country and receiving potentially better health care than the Canadians who are funding the program?

[Soyoung Park]

I'm not sure I would describe it as better health care.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

I sure would.

When I look at the amount doctors are billing to that department, at five times the rate.... They are seeing doctors more quickly than average Canadians.

[Soyoung Park]

The IFHP uses fee schedules and pricing structures that are aligned with provincial and territorial rates.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

That's not true.

You are being billed at a higher rate than the provinces and you are just paying it. You're not following any fee guide.

[Soyoung Park]

We do verify for eligibility prior to the payment.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

You verify that you're going to pay it, but they can bill whatever they wish and the rate is five times. The anaesthetist and the surgeon are billing you at five times the rate that they would normally charge the province that they work in.

[Soyoung Park]

I am not sure what point you're trying to make there.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

I am making a point that we are spending $900 million on health care, and I think that the system is being abused. I would like to have some accountability, so I am asking you questions and you're not really answering them for me, but that's okay.

I came across a federal immigration department information sheet and I'm going to show it to you.

Are you familiar with this sheet? I can pass it down.

[Soyoung Park]

No, I am not.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

You're not familiar with it. That's too bad.

This is an up-to-date information sheet. It would be given to an individual when they come into Canada, but you're not aware of it, so I won't even bring it up.

What kind of information do you give to people when they come into Canada to explain our health care system? Do you give them anything?

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

I have a point of order.

The member had six minutes and we're well over seven minutes into his round.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You are absolutely right. I am sorry.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

I would like a one-minute warning.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I didn't give you one and I am so sorry. That's my fault, but your time is up anyway.

Thank you, sir.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

We're not going to hear my—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Your time is up.

I give you a one-minute warning because I happen to do that as this chair. Many people don't give a warning because you're supposed to be checking your own time yourselves and just tell you when your time is up. That's fine.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Let's move on, then.

Ms. Sidhu is next for the Liberals.