CARL cheers the Liberal government announcement on refugee health care

For immediate release

December 16, 2015 – CARL  joins with Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care and other refugee advocates in welcoming the federal Liberal 

government’s announcement today on the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). The government dropped the Conservative 

government’s irresponsible appeal of the Federal Court’s decision declaring cuts to health care services for refugees to be discriminatory, 

“cruel and unusual” and in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  

CARL also welcomes the indications that refugee health care will be fully restored to its pre 2012 levels. We also call for a review of the IFHP 

program to stabilize and modernize it for the future. CARL is eager to work with the government to achieve an effective and equitable health 

program for all refugees.

“Justice MacTavish’s decision now stands as a landmark judgement that totally rejects stereotypes portraying refugees as cheats undeserving of 

health care, instead of people fleeing war and death and in need of our help”, said Mitchell Goldberg, president of CARL.

CARL  thanks the Liberal government, including Ministers McCallum and Philpott, who have resolutely committed to restoring important 

health coverage for refugees. It is a proud day to be Canadian.

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For more information please contact:

Mitchell Goldberg:  mitchell.goldberg@gmail.com , (514) 844-7528

Peter Showler:  showler@primus.ca, 613-730-1711