The Quebec government will provide Ukrainian refugees with at least three more years of public health insurance coverage.
In a statement sent to Radio-Canada on Sunday, the office of Health Minister Christian Dubé said the public health insurance coverage for Ukrainian refugees — which was slated to expire in March — will be extended by three years until March 2028.
“Quebec has shown its support for the Ukrainian people and will honour its commitment,” the statement reads.
In August, Quebec sent out notices to refugees to warn them they would be losing public health-care coverage even though Ottawa extended their work permits until 2027.
Last month, Dubé said the government would find a way to extend their coverage under the province’s public health insurance board, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
While many Ukrainians who have settled in the province since 2022 have work permits that will remain valid for several more years, Quebec has decided to end their health-care benefits, leaving some in difficult situations.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the federal government unveiled the Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). The program allowed Ukrainians to come to Canada on an open work or study permit and stay for up to three years.
Of the roughly 300,000 Ukrainians welcomed in Canada, 30,000 chose Quebec, including 25,000 in the Montreal region.
According to Radio-Canada, the RAMQ is expected to receive all the necessary documents regarding the coverage extension by Christmas. Negotiations between Quebec and Ottawa over the costs are still ongoing.