Queens Park Office Room 372, Main Legislative Building Toronto ON M7A 1A5 Tel.

: 416 325-0014 Fax: 416 325-0022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Jonah Schein
Member of Provincial Parliament/Dput DAVENPORT

June 29, 2012

The Hon. Deb Matthews Minister of Health and Long-Term Care 80 Grosvenor Street 10th Floor, Hepburn Block Toronto, Ontario M7A 2C4

Dear Minister Matthews, Having seen the incredibly important work FCJ Refugee Centre does in my community, I was heartened to hear of your opposition to the federal governments cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program. These cuts will have a disastrous impact on our provinces healthcare costs and the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our province. The federal governments cuts to the IFHP mean that some refugees will no longer have access to life-sustaining medicines or treatments. To deny care at a time of great uncertainty and turmoil in refugees lives, often as they cope with the trauma of wars, violence and disaster, is cruel and unjust. These cuts are not cost-saving measures, but a downloading of costs to the province. This absence of primary and preventative care for refugees will only cost us more in the long run. By refusing some refugees the care they need now, the federal government is ensuring that when these individuals enter our health system it is through our hospitals emergency room doors. The extended wait times and additional burden on our hospitals for administering this emergency care will far outweigh the original costs to the federal government of providing these health services. In a letter to the federal government you stated that Ontarios healthcare system will not turn away those in need of emergency medical treatment. This is an important first step. As home to almost half of Canadas refugee population, we must do more. ../2

-2The Quebec government has committed to providing interim funding for refugees who have lost access to services under the IFHP. I am writing to urge your office to commit to a similar plan for Ontario. Such a plan would reduce the negative impacts of these cuts on both our healthcare system and refugees as you continue to advocate for the federal government to revise their decision. Refugee healthcare is an issue that should transcend party politics in Ontario. Our Health Critic France Glinas and I would be happy to work with your office on developing this plan.

Sincerely,

Jonah Schein, MPP Davenport

cc:

Frances Glinas, MPP Nickelbelt, NDP Critic Health and Long-Term Care