Ontario is firing back at the federal government for complaining the province is giving free health care to “bogus” refugee claimants after Ottawa axed coverage in 2012.

“That’s kind of stunning in my opinion,” Health Minister Deb Matthews said Friday of the accusation from federal Immigration Minister Chris Alexander earlier this week.

“If they are so-called bogus, then it’s his department that is responsible for that refugee policy and system.”

The shots were the latest in a war of words that has developed since Ontario and five other provinces defied Ottawa’s refugee health cuts, reinstating essential and urgent coverage for claimants in temporary programs.

“It is irresponsible of us not to, as a society, provide these services. The reality is our health providers are going to help people anyway,” Wynne told reporters at a downtown community centre.

“There is still a three-month wait, except in particular emergency circumstances.”

Many refugees were ending up at hospital emergency wards where treatment is more expensive than in doctor’s offices, Matthews said, noting no coverage is provided past any rejected claimants’ deportation dates.

“In the end we were paying anyway, but we were paying more than we would have had we provided better early care.”

At a news conference Tuesday, Alexander said Ontario should not have begun providing coverage to refugee claimants regardless of their status because it makes the province “a magnet for bogus claimants . . . the move is irresponsible.”

In statement Friday, he called Ontario’s coverage a “reckless policy” that will cost taxpayers more than necessary than under the federal reforms.

“Genuine refugees are getting the protection they need much sooner and failed asylum seekers are being removed much faster,” he said.

The federal government contends the cuts could save taxpayers $100 million over five years, with genuine refugees continuing to get health coverage on par with what Canadian citizens enjoy.

Ontario maintained the federal cuts left about a third of refugee claimants without coverage.

Wynne said Ottawa’s move to cancel the program — also opposed by Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Quebec — is typical of a federal government that is ignoring other key national issues like the need for enhanced public pension plans.

“It is the responsibility of the federal government to look at these national issues and to take action where there is national interest. That seems not to be the case.”

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Ontario attracts 55 per cent of Canada’s refugee claimants, or about 48,900 people.

With files from Debra Black

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