REFUGEE HEALTH CARE

[Oscar]

Ottawa won’t say if it will honour deadline for revising refugee health coverage

[ http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014 ... erage.html ]

The federal government has refused to say if and when those refugees stripped of health coverage under the 2012 cutbacks can access health care again.

By: Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Mon Nov 03 2014

Ottawa has refused to say if it will honour a court-ordered deadline and revise its health-care coverage for refugees in light of Friday’s appeal court dismissal of its request to delay the reinstatement.

Immigration officials said they would not comment if and when those refugees who had been stripped of health care under the 2012 cuts can access health care again.

The federal government has until 12:01 a.m. Wednesday to respond to the order originally by Federal Court Justice Anne Mactavish, who called the Conservatives’ cuts amounted to “cruel and unusual treatment.” The judge had given Ottawa four months.

On Monday, the government would only issue a statement by Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.

“Refugees continue to enjoy the same standard of care as Canadians. We’re disappointed with the court’s decision. We’re going to appeal it. We will announce the details of our reaction to that decision shortly,” Alexander said Monday during question period in the Commons.

Provincial health officials said they have yet to receive instructions or any communication from the immigration department about the treatment of refugee patients in light of the court decision.

“Cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program left refugee claimants unprotected and put our doctors in an untenable position, forcing them to choose who should be treated,” said Ontario Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins.

“The federal court’s ruling confirms what we have said all along — our health-care system must reflect the principles of fairness and compassion, providing the right care for those who need it.”

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[ http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014 ... erage.html ]

[Oscar]

Government will comply with court ruling that struck down parts of refugee health-care law, minister says

[ http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/po ... 35926.html ]

Updated 7:25 pm, November 4th, 2014 1:59 pm, November 4th, 2014

GIUSEPPE VALIANTE | QMI AGENCY

OTTAWA - The government has grudgingly given back basic health-care coverage to certain failed asylum seekers and other refugee claimants who came to Canada from so-called safe countries.

Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said starting Nov. 5, the government will comply with the Federal Court's summer ruling that struck down the Conservatives' 2012 changes to the Interim Federal Health Program for refugees.

The government had revoked the right of rejected asylum seekers to receive basic, state-funded health-care coverage except for in emergencies. Refugee claimants from countries that are deemed "safe" or not known for serial human rights abuses, were also ineligible for basic care.

In July, Judge Anne Mactavish called the changes unconstitutional and "cruel and unusual."

She said the changes would be "of no force or effect" by Nov. 5.

Alexander announced Tuesday his government "will comply" with the court order. He said rejected refugee claimants who received a deportation deferral, as well as asylum seekers from safe countries who are awaiting a review of their application, can once again receive basic health coverage.

Rejected asylum seekers who have no deportation deferral remain barred from receiving any basic, state-funded coverage.

Alexander said he was "disappointed" with the July ruling and appealed it. The new health measures will be in effect until the Federal Court of Appeal makes a ruling.

Alexander wouldn't say if he will go to the Supreme Court if his appeal fails.

The NDP and Liberals both strongly rejected the government's 2012 changes and demanded the government repeal the reforms.

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[ http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/po ... 35926.html ]