Yes, fine.
First, these are refugees asking for protection and, under the law, Canadian society has the obligation to give them that protection. There is also the category of Convention refugees, and, with the commission, we have already agreed to bring them to Canada. Those international obligations also have to be honoured on Canadian soil.
The health status of those refugees, mainly the Convention refugees—though there are different characteristics—is a function of their country of origin and the conditions in which they were living. In some countries, they had no access to medical services and, because of epidemiological conditions and infectious diseases, their health status has deteriorated. It is very important for Convention refugees to receive treatment. In any event, they are eligible for those services under our provincial and territorial health plans. We cover them for the waiting period, which is normally three months, but as soon as they are eligible, our program no longer covers them.
It is also important to cover those groups for what we call supplementary coverage, for medication and all those things that may not be covered by health plans; though the plans cover them for people on social assistance, for example. We take all the provincial social assistance programs already in place and we adapt them. That allows us to reach some degree of parity in what is offered to those groups in the provinces and territories.
That is important for three reasons. First, it is important for the refugees themselves, whatever category they are in, that we are concerned about their state of health and provide the necessary care. Second, it is important for public health, especially if they show signs of infectious diseases that can be spread to those close to them and to the community. We have to provide treatment for that. Third, by assuming the costs, we ease the strain on the resources of the provincial and territorial health systems, at least with regard to the costs. That all must be seen as positive.
It is important for Canadians to realize that this coverage for refugees seeking asylum actually does not last very long. The coverage provided to asylum-seekers by the program ceases when their cases are dismissed; in other words, they are covered until they leave Canada, and then that's it. If asylum-seekers withdraw or give up their claims for protection, the coverage ceases as well. Of course, if it comes to light at any time that a person is living in Canada illegally, the coverage also ceases. It really is temporary, just until the commission has rendered its verdict. If the commission gives a person refugee status, that person becomes eligible for provincial programs automatically.