Liberal govt advertises Canada’s ‘free’ healthcare to migrants

As Canada’s healthcare system buckles under immense strain, the federal immigration department is facing heavy criticism for a digital ad that promotes the nation’s universal healthcare to migrants.

As Canada’s healthcare system buckles under immense strain, the federal immigration department is facing heavy criticism for a digital ad that shamelessly promotes the nation’s universal healthcare to migrants.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) post, published Monday on X, invites people “thinking about moving to Canada” to “learn about health care in Canada.” It links to a government page explaining how provincial health coverage works. The ad has drawn attention for presenting an optimistic image of a system under serious stress.

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner responded with a sharp rebuke: “Read the room, Lena,” she wrote, addressing Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

The ad’s timing coincides with Canada recording its worst wait times ever. According to the Fraser Institute’s Waiting Your Turn 2024 report, the national median wait between referral to a specialist and receipt of treatment is 30.0 weeks, the longest in the survey’s history and a 222 per cent increase over the 9.3-week median in 1993.

Source: Fraser Institute

The Fraser Institute estimated Canadians lost nearly $5.2 billion in wages and productivity in 2024 due to waits for medically necessary care. Many patients experienced worsening conditions, reduced quality of life or permanent harm.

Report authors Bacchus Barua and Mackenzie Moir noted that “as long as lengthy wait times define Canada’s health-care system, patients will continue to pay a price in lost wages and reduced quality of life.”

The report also highlights significant provincial variations: Prince Edward Island recorded a median wait of 77.4 weeks, compared to Ontario’s 23.6 weeks. Delays are particularly severe in orthopaedic surgery (57.5 weeks), neurosurgery (46.2 weeks) and diagnostic imaging, with average waits of 8.1 weeks for CT scans, 16.2 weeks for MRIs and 5.2 weeks for ultrasounds.

Source: Fraser Institute

Part of the strain stems from a 2018 policy shift. Then-Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen loosened the “excessive demand” rule, raising the medical cost threshold to approximately $20,000 annually — about three times a Canadian’s average health-care expense. This allowed entry to many previously inadmissible on medical grounds. The change, intended to align with Canada’s values of inclusion, drew warnings that it would worsen pressure on already struggling provincial systems.

In July, the government prioritized invitations for seniors who are relatives sponsored by other recent immigrants in a family reunification program, which will see 10,000 parents and grandparents this year alone.

Carney government to prioritize seniors for immigration

The IRCC ad remains online, directing users to an overview of how newcomers can access provincial health plans. However, critics argue it overlooks the significant bottlenecks Canadians face.