“Canada is better than this”: doctors protest against cuts to refugee health

OTTAWA – Doctors and other medical professionals are rallying across the country to fight the Conservative government’s decision to slash millions in spending on refugee health care.

They say cuts to a program which provides extended health-care benefits to refugees are unjust and endanger public health.

The Conservatives argue the benefits are better than those received by most Canadians and they’re being slashed to make things more equitable.

They also say good health-care benefits attract bogus refugee claims.

But one Ottawa doctor says it’s ridiculous to presume refugees come to Canada because of health care.

Dr. Parisa Rezaiefar, who fled Iran more than 20 years ago, says refugees come to survive and the program isn’t a charity but an investment in Canada’s future.