​Changes to the IFHP: Timeline

April 25 2012

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Jason Kenney, announced cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Prior to the cuts, the IFHP provided health care coverage for refugees and refugee claimants​​ that was comparable to provincial programs.  



May 11 2012

Over 90 physicians occupied the office of Federal Minister, Joe Oliver, in Toronto, demanding that Ottawa rescind cuts to the IFHP.



June 18 2012

National Day of Action – over 2,000 health care workers in 14 Canadian cities participated in demonstrations to show their opposition to the IFHP cuts



Late June 2012​

Unannounced changes to the CIC website indicated that GAR’s and privately-sponsored refugees would in-fact continue to receive supplemental health care benefits​​​.



June 30 2012

Changes to the IFHP took effect.



September 2012

Manitoba Health Minister, Theresa Oswald, announced that the province would cover health care services for refugees that had been cut by the federal government.



December 14 2012

Minister Jason Kenney named 27 Designated Countries of Origin - "safe" countries. Refugee claimants from these countries will be fast-tracked with no right of appeal and after receiving less time to prepare claims.



December 15 2012

​Healthcare providers and allies across the country gathered for a second Day of Action for Refugee Health. Events took place in Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, and Vancouver. On the night prior, a Gallery Event featuring refugee stories and health provider action against the IFH cuts attracted over 400 people during Hamilton's Art Crawl.  

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