New Democrats condemn Conservative cuts to refugee health care

OTTAWA — New Democrat Citizenship and Immigration critic Jinny Sims (Newton-North Delta) and deputy critic Sadia Groguhé (Saint-Lambert) have issued the following statement:

Today, Canadians across the country are taking part in rallies to condemn the Conservative cuts to health care services for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. On behalf of New Democrats everywhere, we join these Canadians and call for a reversal of Conservative cuts to the Interim Federal Health (IFH) Program for refugees.

Last year we urged the Conservatives to have a heart and cancel these cuts before they came into effect. Sadly, Conservatives completely ignored the demands of doctors, health experts and former refugees. Our health care professionals report that as a result of these cuts, many people have been denied the care they needed.

A core value in our society is the idea that we all have a responsibility to take care of one another – especially the vulnerable. Unfortunately, the Conservatives ignored that basic Canadian value and chose to play politics with people’s lives.

Canadians deserve better. Once again, we urge the government to reverse these reckless cuts.