Item - 2012.HL14.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on June 6, 2012 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on May 28, 2012 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on June 6, 2012.
HL14.1 - Health Impacts of Reduced Federal Health Services for Refugees
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on June 6, 7 and 8, 2012, adopted the following:
1. City Council urge the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to reinstate the Interim Federal Health Program so as to maintain interim support for refugee and refugee claimants health care needs.
2. City Council request the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to consult with provinces, municipalities, public health units, and refugee networks and agencies across Canada on any future changes to the Interim Federal Health Program.
3. City Council direct that the report (May 17, 2012) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and urge the Public Health Agency of Canada to take a leadership role in developing national and local strategies that maintain and improve refugee health.
4. City Council direct that the report (May 17, 2012) from the Medical Officer of Health be sent to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Ontario, all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Urban Public Health Network, the Directors of Education of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud urging them to also advocate to the Federal Minister of Health for reinstatement of the Interim Federal Health Program.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-47324.pdf
Communications (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30470.pdf
(May 28, 2012) Submission from Steve Barnes, Wellesley Institute (HL.New.HL14.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30476.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Jun-07-2012 4:41 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL14.1 - Adopt the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 24 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, John Filion, Doug Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 21 | Members that were absent are Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Norman Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
HL14.1 - Health Impacts of Reduced Federal Health Services for Refugees
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council urge the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to reinstate the Interim Federal Health Program so as to maintain interim support for refugee and refugee claimants health care needs.
2. City Council request the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism consult with provinces, municipalities, public health units, and refugee networks and agencies across Canada on any future changes to the Interim Federal Health Program.
3. City Council direct that the report (May 17, 2012) fom the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and urge the Public Health Agency of Canada to take a leadership role in developing national and local strategies that maintain and improve refugee health.
4. City Council direct that the report (May 17, 2012) from the Medical Officer of Health be sent to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Ontario, all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Urban Public Health Network, the Directors of Education of the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud urging them to also advocate to the federal Minister of Health for reinstatement of the Interim Federal Health Program.
Origin
Summary
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has funded the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) since 1957 to provide temporary health-care coverage to eligible protected persons, refugee claimants and rejected refugee claimants who do not qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance plans. Changes to the federal regulations governing the IFHP, which will take effect on June 30, 2012 will greatly reduce or eliminate health care coverage for refugees.
The purpose of this report is to provide information on the impacts of the proposed policy changes on the health of refugees, refugee claimants and public health in Canada. Central to the changes are the following measures:
1. Dental, vision and pharmacy care coverage will be eliminated for all refugees;
2. Protected persons and refugee claimants from non-Designated Countries of Origin will only be provided health coverage for urgent and essential health services, or for conditions deemed to pose a risk to public health or public safety;
3. Refugee claimants from Designated Countries of Origin and rejected refugee claimants will only be eligible for health coverage needed to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or a condition of public safety;
4. Applicants for Pre-Removal Risk Assessment who have not previously made a refugee claim will receive no medical benefits.
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that the Board of Health call on the federal government to reinstate the IFHP to maintain interim support for refugee and refugee claimant health care needs.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-47324.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30470.pdf
(May 28, 2012) Submission from Steve Barnes, Wellesley Institute (HL.New.HL14.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30476.pdf
Speakers
Dr. Anna Banerji
Dr. Michael Stephenson, Family Physician, Access Alliance
Steve Barnes, Wellesley Institute (Submission Filed)
Motions
That:
1. the Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to forward the report to City Council for its meeting on June 6, 2012 and request Council to endorse the Board of Health's advocacy position.
2. the Board of Health forward this report to the Provincial Minister of Health requesting for advocacy on the matter.
That the Board of Health forward a copy of this report to the four school boards for their endorsement and advocacy of this matter.