NB Update: Minneapolis migrant justice activist on the fight against ICE | Federal health cuts hit refugees, asylum seekers | and more

On this edition of the NB Update, we focus on issues affecting immigrants, migrants and refugees. They have faced a rising tide of racism in recent years, especially amid the cost-of-living crisis.

A migrant justice organizer from Minneapolis recently spoke in New Brunswick about the brutal ICE raids that have made headlines internationally, and how activists have responded to the crackdown.

“If there’s one thing that you can remember from this talk today, just remember that immigrant rights are workers’ rights, and workers’ rights are human rights,” said Aizar Cabrera of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee. This program includes highlights from his talk in Moncton, part of events marking May Day weekend.

Meanwhile, refugees and asylum seekers in Canada are now on the hook for health care products and services that used to be free.

Following changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, they now have to cover 30 per cent of so-called supplemental health expenses, such as dental and vision care, mental health counselling, assistive devices such as prosthetics and wheelchairs, and other expenses.

IFHP beneficiaries will also pay $4 out-of-pocket for every prescription filled or refilled. The changes came into effect on May 1st.

Advocates say the cuts are likely to have dire consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in the country, while ultimately putting more pressure on hospitals.

“The few dollars that they’ll now have to spend on my prescriptions may mean the difference between adequately feeding their children or adhering to my treatments,” said Dr. Chris Arsenault of the Refugee Integrated Care Clinic in Fredericton. 

“Over the next months, we’re going to see more and more of these patients falling through holes in the care system because they will not be able to afford these changes.”

Ammar Younus, manager of the settlement department for the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area, also said that more people will likely end up in emergency wards due to the changes. “If you have psychological trauma that was not taken care of, you might be in a psychological breakdown,” he said.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada didn’t respond to an interview request but provided a written statement saying, in part, that the changes will cut spending by an estimated $140 million in the first year and that it will “help manage growing demand.”

The statement also said the changes will “align IFHP coverage more closely” with health insurance programs that also require Canadians to pay for various health care products and services. 

The changes are part of government-wide cutbacks introduced in last year’s federal budget, coupled with massive increases in military spending.

This program also includes a roundup of news briefs from our recent reporting.

Remember that May is Membership Moncton at the NB Media Co-op. If you like what we do, please support us by donating and becoming a member of the co-op by going to nbmediacoop.org/donate.

The NB Update is a collaboration between the NB Media Co-op and CHCO TV. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, via the Local Journalism Initiative.