Mr. Chair, first of all, allow me to thank the hon. member for Moncton—Dieppe for her advocacy and for being a champion, not only for her community but for many members who have been here in Parliament, including me, for the last number of years.
Through budget 2024, the government invested $411.2 million in the federal health program for 2024-25, topping up existing funding and ensuring that refugees and asylum claimants, as well as other uniquely vulnerable foreign nationals, have access to health care coverage to address urgent and essential medical needs. There was a further $232.9 million provided through the 2024-25 supplementary estimates (B).
Taking into account all funding sources, the total interim federal health program allocations for 2024-25 were $896.5 million. These covered the cost of basic health services like hospital and physician care, aligned with provincial and territorial health insurance, and limited supplemental health services, for example, mental health counselling and disability support. The coverage is also provided to specific migrant groups, including resettled refugees.