Quebec health minister vows to 'not abandon' Ukrainian refugees
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said he is committed to finding a solution to continue health coverage for Ukrainian refugees in the province.
“We will not abandon Ukrainian refugees,” he wrote on X. “We are still in discussions with the federal government, but we would like to extend their coverage.”
Olha Hnatyshyn teaches economics at John Abbott College and her 69-year-old father lives with her and depends on the medical coverage provided by Canada and Quebec.
“Cutting off on a health care and, support will put me in a very difficult situation,” said Hnatyshyn.
The health coverage is provided under Quebec’s public system (RAMQ) and not the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees.
Canada granted Ukrainians special visas in 2022 and Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Quebec provincial council head Michael Shwec said Quebec said it would cut off the health coverage connected to the visas after three years.
“So all health care is being cut off, social assistance being cut off, which doesn't make sense because the very heart of the matter was to help Ukrainians as they come back in the time of need, seek refuge during an awful war,” he told CTV News. “And that awful war continues today.”
Dube said Quebec intends to make sure they will not be cut off.
“Quebec has a commitment to them and we will keep it,” he wrote.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in northern B.C. wilderness
A missing hiker who spent 50 days alone in the frozen wilderness of northern British Columbia has been found alive.
'They alone are responsible': No deal yet in Canada Post strike
The Canada Post strike is expected to continue as parties remain 'too far apart on critical issues' to reach a deal, according to Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon.
Hyundai recalling hundreds of thousands of cars and SUVs in Canada, U.S.
Hyundai is recalling hundreds of thousands of SUVs and small cars in the U.S. and Canada because the rearview camera image may not show up on the screens.
Ontario to match GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax on some items
Ontario says it will match the federal government’s two-month GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax (PST) from items that are not currently covered by existing provincial rebates.
Man arrested at LAX after allegedly checking suitcases filled with over 70 pounds of meth-caked clothing
A California man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly tried to check two suitcases containing more than 70 pounds of clothing caked in methamphetamine – including a cow pajama onesie – on a flight to Australia, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller could have as many as 100 victims, lawyer says
A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande 'Wicked' pay disparity rumour debunked
Some have been saying Ariana Grande got paid more for 'Wicked' than her costar Cynthia Erivo, but the movie's studio is setting the record straight.
Some Liberal MPs echo NDP call to expand $250 rebate, minister touts seniors benefits
Some Liberal MPs say they think their government should consider expanding the eligibility for an upcoming government rebate to include seniors who are no longer working.
W5 Investigates Canada's least wanted man: A family's long and lonely fight to bring their son home from Syria
Counterterrorism experts and humanitarian groups are urging countries to repatriate suspected ISIS members, as one family tells CTV W5 about their long and lonely fight to bring their son home from Syria.