New Co-Payments Warned as De Facto Denial of Care

Health workers and human rights activists across Canada are calling on the government to rescind planned cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), a healthcare scheme providing basic coverage to refugees, asylum seekers, and other individuals not covered by other Canadian healthcare programs.

On April 14, 2026, rallies were held in multiple cities, including Toronto, as part of a national day of action. Demonstrators and medical professionals argue that the upcoming changes to the program will create financial barriers that effectively prevent vulnerable populations from accessing essential medical services.

Details of the Program Cuts

The Canadian government announced changes to the IFHP in late January 2026. These modifications, which are scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026, introduce new co-payments for beneficiaries.

Under the new rules, individuals receiving IFHP coverage will be required to pay $4 for each eligible prescription medication. The government will implement a 30 percent co-payment for supplemental health services.

The supplemental services subject to the 30 percent co-payment include:

• Dental care
• Vision care
• Mental health counseling
• Rehabilitation services
• Essential medical supplies

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Critics of the policy changes contend that for patients living in poverty, these new costs represent a de facto denial of care.

Medical professionals participating in the protests argue that the curbs put at-risk individuals in danger and will ultimately lead to higher healthcare costs in the future due to untreated conditions.

We want to make sure that we have a universal healthcare system, and we also don’t want a system that punches down against vulnerable people and migrants. We want to support a system that provides care to everyone.

Dr. Ritika Goel

The protests in Toronto on April 14, 2026, were part of a broader effort by rights advocates to pressure the government to maintain full coverage for those seeking asylum and refugee status in Canada.