Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 1st, 2026

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

You talked about the influx of asylum claimants. The PBO estimates that just one additional month of asylum processing time could add up to $72 million in annual costs to the federal IFHP gold-plated health care benefits for asylum claimants in 2026.

Can you folks tell us why the processing delay is so bad and what's causing the influx of asylum claimants?

[Catherine Scott]

There have been significant measures to bring down the number of asylum claimants in Canada. We've spoken about the impact of Bill C-12. We've seen a reduction of 59% in the number of asylum claims in Canada since 2024. There are significant efforts to—

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have one last question.

The latest PBO report found that 74,000 failed asylum claimants are still receiving generous IFHP gold-plated health care coverage. For asylum claimants whose claims have already been rejected, instead of being deported.... What is the department's policy rationale for continuing health care coverage for a person even when they have already been found to not be a genuine refugee?

[Catherine Scott]

The IFHP covers asylum claimants until the end of their process, up until removal. This ensures that those individuals are able to access health care services. Without creating—

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

You talked about removal. I have one last question. What are the benefits—

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Mr. Fragiskatos, you have the floor.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

This is the second time Mr. Ho has cut the witness off while she was answering a question. I know Conservatives have many questions on this, but there are answers.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

It's my time.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

If the member will allow for actual, genuine interaction, he'll get good answers, I think.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Mr. Ho has five seconds left, so I will let Ms. Scott answer in five seconds.

[Catherine Scott]

As I was mentioning, asylum claimants are eligible for the program until the end of the—

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

Why are their benefits not automatically terminated?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Chair, is he serious?

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have one last question to ask. That's it.

Why are the benefits not terminated?

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Mr. Ho, your time is up. I'm sorry.

Mr. Joseph, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm honoured to participate in this meeting under your chairmanship.

I'm going to turn to Ms. Scott on a very interesting issue.

Your department recently made changes to its funding model for temporary housing for asylum seekers. Given the ongoing confusion about the use of hotels, can you explain to the committee the current role of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in accommodation?

Can you confirm that the department is still funding the use of hotels to house asylum seekers?

[Catherine Scott]

Thank you for the question.

For a while, the department used hotels to house asylum seekers—

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Mr. Ho, the floor is yours.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

My interpretation is not working. Can we double-check it?

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Yes, absolutely.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

It's really quiet. I'm on max volume right now. Could we do a sound check?

[The Vice-Chair, Bloc, Alexis Deschênes]

Mr. Joseph, you won't lose your speaking time. We're just going to do a test.

Mr. Ho, can you hear the interpretation?

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

It's really quiet, but it's all right. We can resume.