Asylum Health-Care Program Expected to Cost More Than $1.5B per Year: Budget Watchdog

Jason Jacques, interim parliamentary budget officer, prepares to appear before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 25, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Canada’s parliamentary budget officer says the federal health-care program used by asylum claimants will cost more than $1.5 billion annually within the next five years.

Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) Jason Jacques estimated in a Feb. 12 report that the total cost of the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will reach nearly $1 billion this fiscal year and increase to more than $1.5 billion by fiscal 2029-30.