Mr. Speaker, Canada is a generous country. We are proud of our universal health care system, and we are proud of our tradition of welcoming newcomers. However, generosity must never come at the expense of fairness.
Today, Canadians can see that their health care system is under pressure like never before. Six million Canadians do not have access to a family doctor, and waiting lists are growing. Emergency rooms are overflowing, and provinces are calling for more resources to maintain basic services. In this context, a fundamental question arises: Is it fair that failed asylum seekers can receive taxpayer-funded health benefits that are sometimes more advantageous than those offered to Canadians who have contributed to the system all their lives?
At the Standing Committee on Health, the Conservatives highlighted a troubling reality. Some health care providers charge up to five times the provincial rates for services provided under the interim federal health program. Yes, I said five times. Meanwhile, the federal government claims it has no financial leeway. However, the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report on the 2025-26 expenditure plan gives us a clear picture of the country's financial situation.
The total planned budgetary expenditures for 2025-26 are $486.9 billion. Of this amount, $222.9 billion must be approved by Parliament. The Canada health transfer will increase to $54.7 billion this year, up $2.6 billion, or 5%. It is the largest direct federal contribution to the provinces for health care funding. At the same time, elderly benefits, including OAS, will total $85.5 billion for fiscal year 2025-26. This represents about $1 out of every $6 spent by the federal government. Debt-servicing costs will reach $49.1 billion, which is roughly equivalent to the entire Canada health transfer. These figures show one thing: Every dollar counts.
When program costs balloon and nobody reins them in, that reduces the government's ability to pay for Canadians' basic priorities: seniors' care, health transfers, infrastructure and economic security. Skyrocketing costs associated with the interim federal health program are symptomatic of a bigger problem: The Liberal government has lost control of Canada's immigration system. The cost of the program has more than quadrupled in the last four years from $211 million to $896 million. In addition, the cost of the IFHP is projected to rise to $1.5 billion by 2029-30.
Our immigration system used to be known for striking a balance between compassion and rigour. Now, it is completely overwhelmed. Delays are mounting. Removals are delayed. Costs are soaring. When the asylum system is out of control, that affects all public services, including housing, schools and hospitals.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer's report notes that transfers account for 60.5% of federal expenditures. This means that the majority of federal spending is going to payments to provinces, individuals and other organizations. We therefore have a duty to ensure that each transfer program is administered with the utmost care.
Given that public debt already costs $49.1 billion a year in interest and the Parliamentary Budget Officer projects that these charges could reach almost $70 billion in the next few years, it is irresponsible for the government to tolerate overbilling or unjustified benefits.
Let us be clear: Canada must provide emergency health care to every person within its borders. That is a fundamental humanitarian principle. However, it is unconscionable for ineligible asylum claimants to continue to benefit from expanded federal benefits while Canadian citizens are waiting for care.
We on this side of the House are bringing forward meaningful solutions. First, we propose restricting federal benefits received by ineligible claimants to emergency health care only. Second, we propose strictly aligning the IFHP rates with the provincial rates to prevent overbilling. Third, we suggest fast-tracking asylum claim processing and expediting the removal of rejected claimants. Fourth, we suggest adjusting immigration levels to match Canada's actual capacity. We need to ensure there are enough jobs, housing and health capacity before we take in more immigrants.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer's report shows that expenditures related to seniors are increasing rapidly due to population aging. This means that pressure on public finances will continue to increase over the coming years. We must therefore make responsible choices. We must prioritize Canadians who have paid into the system their whole lives. We must protect the viability of our health care system. We must restore the integrity of our asylum system.
Fairness is not an abstract concept; it is the cornerstone of public trust. When Canadians feel that the system is stacked in favour of those who bend the rules instead of those who follow them, trust is eroded. We can be a welcoming yet responsible country. We can be compassionate yet careful. We can stand up for Canada's humanitarian values while protecting taxpayers' legitimate interests.
The Conservatives are committed to restoring fairness to Canada's asylum system, which is unfortunately broken. At the end of the day, a government must have one clear priority: ensuring fairness, accountability and sustainability for our public finances so that our health care system stays available for all future generations.