Quebec government working to extend health coverage for Ukrainian refugees

The Quebec government tells CityNews it is looking to continue covering health care for Ukrainian refugees after it expires in March.

“We are still in discussions with the federal government, but we would like to extend their coverage,” said Health Minister Christian Dubé in an emailed statement Wednesday.

“We will find a solution, we will not let the Ukrainian refugees down. Quebec has a commitment to them and we will keep it.”

Earlier this year, the Legault government indicated Ukrainian refugees would be losing their public health-care coverage in Quebec, despite their federal work permits being extended.

This week, in an interview with CityNews on the 1,000th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Quebec Provincial Council called Quebec’s decision to end RAMQ and social assistance coverage “disenchanting.”

“There seems to be a turn in the policy, whereby, the Quebec government’s saying, ‘well, it’s been three years, and it was a three-year program, so, that’s it, it’s over,'” Michael Shwec said before Wednesday’s news.

Shwec did praise Quebec, however, for being so welcoming in the first place.

“Quebec really went way far and beyond what anybody was expecting,” he said. “They opened not only their coffers, they opened their hearts as a people and it was truly, truly nice for me to be able to represent Ukrainians in Quebec, because the Quebec government was doing so much.”

On Friday, Shwec wrote in an email statement to CityNews, reacting to the possible health coverage extension: “The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Quebec Provincial Council welcomes Minister Christian Dubé’s announcement that the Quebec government is working on a way to continue health-care coverage for Ukrainian refugees in the province after it expires in March 2025.  The CAQ’s assistance to Ukrainian displaced people who have sought refuge in Quebec has been exemplary, and their ongoing commitment is reflected in the Minister’s statement.”