In this entry I’d like to share with you how certain Immigration policies in Canada can be flawed when it comes to the topic of persons with physical (or mental) disabilities. First, people with disabilities are “not seen as potential contributors to the economic life of Canada and they are less likely to be considered preferred applicants” (El-Lahib & Wehbi, 2012, p. 99). They are also assumed to be “too costly to be granted entry because they are seen to be an economic burden on medical and social services” (El-Lahib & Wehbi, 2012, p. 99).
In a study conducted by Bruce Newbold (2009) on the short-term health of Canada’s new immigrant arrivals concludes that the health status of new arrivals declines within as little as two years post -arrival (p. 321). This decline in health can be partially attributed to lack of adequate medical care but the point I’m trying to make is that if a healthy immigrant or refugee can’t maintain their health for two years post-arrival, how is an immigrant or refugee with a disability supposed to? I think this is the angle the Canadian Government is coming from when they’re determining whether a person is eligible to immigrate to Canada or become a refugee. However, I’m not sure these same views should apply to a person who has immigrated to Canada and acquired a disability years after.
Mullaly (2007) categorizes oppression into five separate groups and I believe that this issue would fall into the category of marginalization (p. 266). Marginalization is defined as certain minority groups being pushed to the margins of society because the labour market cannot or will not accommodate them (Mullaly, 2007, p. 266). Mullaly (2007) also goes on to say that people who rely on Welfare (i.e people with disabilities) are treated with punitive, demeaning and patronizing policies and regulations which interfere with their basic rights to privacy and respect (p. 266). Everyone is aware that immigrants and refugees are a marginalized group in Canada, so does that mean immigrants and refugees with disabilities are double-marginalized? These points that Mullaly made are clearly observed when looking at the way the Government treats Immigrants who acquire disabilities while living in Canada.
For example, lets look at the case of Chris Mason. Chris is a former Winnipegger who arrived in Canada in 2001 on a workers Visa. In 2001 Chris lost the use of his legs in an accident while on the job as a truck driver. Chris continued to work as a dispatcher for a truck company until he was further injured in 2007 after getting hit by a taxi. From 2007 until 2009 Chris had been living on social assistance in Winnipeg with an expired Visa. In 2009 After Chris’ application to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds was turned down he was deported back to Manchester. Chris was temporarily put into a seniors home after arriving in Manchester but technically he was homeless because he had no money and nowhere to live (CBC News, 2009).
I understand that Canada is not willing to allow physically or mentally ill persons to immigrate here for economic reasons (not saying I agree). What I don’t understand is how it’s right for the government to deport immigrants who have lived here for years because they have become an “economic burden” after becoming physically or mentally ill. I think that if a person has been allowed to immigrate to Canada (on any kind of Visa) it is the governments responsibility to treat them like any other citizen of Canada.
-Yodit D
References:
CBC News World. (2009, January 20). Deported, disabled U.K. citizen arrives in Britain. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/01/20/mason-uk.html
El-Lahib, Y. & Wehbi, S. (2012). Immigration and disability: Ableismin the policies of the Canadian state. International Social Work, 55, 95 - 108
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
Newbold, B. (2009). The short-term health of Canada’s new immigrant arrivals: evidence from LSIC. Ethnicity & Health, 14, 315 - 336.
This is very shocking to read. I agree with you that Canada has an image of a very accepting nation and it is shocking that once the people they have accepted as their own encounter a tragic event, instead of helping they turn their backs on them. This is a very eye opening post.
ReplyDeleteLeah
This was a very intriguing post. I could understand being denied entry into Canada because of some underlying illness or disability (if coming here was only for the purpose of work) but to actually get deported after having served hard labor is unfair. This is very demoralizing. I wonder if this policy is mentioned in the application for worker's visa, because I think it would be helpful to know that I would be getting kicked out of Canada if I accidently hurt myself. Good blog.
ReplyDelete-Medina
Wow! im just overthrown by this, when these individuals need help Canada seems to turn it's back on them?? I agree with your point if Canada allows one to come here they should be treated equally no matter what, I find it quite ridiculous they would depart one because of them acquiring a physical disability, you would think this is where they step in with helping hands.. Great post Yodit!
ReplyDelete-Hannah
It's kind of scary to think that if you are in Canada on a work visa and you injure yourself, that the law does not protect you. They don't receive any benefits such as EI, WCB or union benefits even though they do the same work as other employees. I don't understand why Canada has these rules that make an immigrants life that much harder than it already is!!
ReplyDelete-Iresha
I did not know that people could be deported if they injured themselves at work, and its more heartbreaking that even though they work hard and pay the same taxes and benefits and such that they are not entitled to those things they pay for. Quite disturbing and thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteShannon