CIMM – Investments in the Asylum System – October 24, 2023
Key Facts and Figures
Originally funded to process 26,000 cases, Budget 2022 provided funding to process 50,000 claims annually, as well as an additional 10,000 claims in 2022/23.
The Government committed $738.9M in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to provide asylum claimants with healthcare coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) which enables equitable access to Canada’s healthcare system by removing cost barriers to care for asylum claimants, who would otherwise be uninsured. Budget 2023 renewed this commitment through $469M in additional funding.
Key Messages
The Government is making targeted and critical investments in response to the higher volumes, and to improve the asylum system’s stability and integrity.
Budget 2022 earmarked $1.3B over five years and $331.2M ongoing for IRCC, CBSA, and the IRB, to bring processing levels permanently up to at least 50,000 claims and support the long-term stability and integrity of Canada’s asylum system.
In the face of growing global instability, the Government continues to review the system to ensure it is equipped to handle higher volumes and provide protection to those in need, while maintaining public confidence in our asylum and immigration systems.
Supplementary Information
Canada received over 92,000 asylum claims and is on track to surpass 100,000 in 2023.
Budget 2023 provided $43.5 million in 2023-24 to Justice Canada to maintain federal support for immigration and refugee legal aid services.
Asylum system funding is separate from funding to provide temporary accommodations which was also allocated in Budget 2023.
