Asylum seekers

Tuesday February 6, 2024

Canada is dealing with more immigrants while also facing a shortage of doctors and healthcare workers, emphasizing the need for solutions to keep skilled professionals and help newcomers settle in.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday February 6, 2024

The Divergent Paths of Immigrants: Canada’s Healthcare Woes and Retention Challenges

The Canadian dream for immigrants has turned into a harsh reality, prompting growing pressure to reassess immigration policies in the face of economic challenges, housing struggles, healthcare complexities, and cultural clashes.

January 19, 2024

Canada, a nation known for its welcoming stance on immigrants and refugees, is currently grappling with a paradoxical situation. On one hand, there is a steady influx of newcomers, including refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants, drawn by the promise of a better life. On the other hand, the country is witnessing a departure of skilled professionals, particularly in the healthcare sector, and a notable percentage of immigrants choosing to leave within two decades of arrival.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) recently sounded the alarm, highlighting a dire shortage of family doctors across the province. With over 2.3 million residents lacking a family doctor and more than 2,500 physician positions vacant, the healthcare system is on the brink of crisis. The situation is exacerbated by an aging demographic of baby-boomer doctors planning to retire and a lack of appeal for medical students to choose family medicine due to financial concerns.

News: Family doctor shortage affects every region and is getting worse, Ontario Medical Association says

August 19, 1999

The struggles in the healthcare sector coincide with broader challenges facing immigrants. A recent study by Statistics Canada reveals that more than 15% of immigrants leave Canada within 20 years of admission, raising questions about integration difficulties and overall satisfaction. Emigration rates are higher among recent immigrants, with factors such as country of birth, admission category, and having children influencing the decision to leave.

The healthcare exodus and immigrant departure seem intertwined, painting a complex picture of Canada’s allure. Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, a family physician in Ottawa, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Ontario is no longer a safe place to practice family medicine. The province’s inaction on the primary care crisis and the lack of goodwill in negotiations with physicians are driving some to consider alternative career paths or even leaving the country.

While the government claims to have added more than 10,400 new doctors since 2018 and expanded medical school access, the realities on the ground suggest a widening gap in the healthcare workforce. The Bilateral Burnout Task Force aims to reduce the administrative burden on doctors, but the exodus of healthcare professionals indicates a deeper systemic issue that needs urgent attention.

News: Many immigrants leaving Canada within years of arriving: StatCan

June 19, 2020

On the immigration front, Canada’s high retention rates are lauded, but the Statistics Canada study sheds light on pockets of concern. Immigrants from certain countries, admitted in specific categories, exhibit higher emigration rates, potentially pointing to unmet expectations, lack of economic integration strategies, and housing shortages.

As Canada welcomes a record number of immigrants, it must confront the challenges head-on. Addressing the healthcare crisis requires immediate action to retain and attract healthcare professionals. Simultaneously, a holistic approach to immigrant integration, recognizing diverse needs, and addressing housing shortages will be essential.

Canada’s reputation as a land of opportunities and inclusivity can only be sustained if it actively addresses these pressing issues. The current contrasting narrative of healthcare woes and immigrant departures demands a comprehensive and collaborative response from policymakers, healthcare institutions, and communities to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all residents. (AI)

Friday July 28, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 28, 2023

Canada’s Compassion for Refugees: A Triumph Marred by Neglect

December 11, 2015

Canada has earned international praise for its compassionate policy of opening its arms to refugees and asylum seekers, offering them a glimmer of hope in their darkest hours. Countries like Ukraine, Syria, Haiti, and parts of North Africa have faced unprecedented instability, leaving countless lives shattered. In the face of such crises, Canada’s commitment to providing sanctuary is commendable and reflects the nation’s humanitarian spirit.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada has set ambitious targets for welcoming newcomers, aiming to address labor shortages and enrich the nation’s cultural fabric. The record-breaking intake of immigrants, reaching 431,645 permanent residents last year, demonstrates the government’s willingness to make a positive difference.

May 9, 2019

However, while the welcoming gestures and promises of safety are uplifting, a troubling reality darkens this otherwise noble picture. Recently, dozens of desperate refugees have found themselves relegated to sleeping on the sidewalks of Toronto, a city that has been unable to accommodate them in shelters due to an overwhelming influx. The responsibility of providing shelter and housing to these newcomers, who legally sought refuge in Canada, falls on the Federal government, which seems to have fallen short in fulfilling its duty.

News: Asylum seekers left sleeping on Toronto streets amid funding stalemate between city, feds  

February 23, 2017

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s symbolic airport appearances, with cameras flashing and welcoming smiles, are an essential aspect of showcasing Canada’s humanitarian stance. Yet, it’s disheartening to witness the lack of tangible support and assistance provided afterward. The spotlight fades, and the struggles of refugees persist.

The recent allocation of $97 million to the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) is a positive step, offering temporary housing to some of those left stranded. However, it appears to be a short-term fix for a long-term issue. Toronto’s overwhelmed shelter system and its inability to accommodate asylum seekers have been known for months, but the response from the Federal government came late and appears insufficient to address the crisis comprehensively.

March 29, 2023

It’s distressing to witness the plight of these vulnerable individuals who fled perilous circumstances with the expectation of finding safety and security in Canada. Instead, they find themselves dwelling in a tent city, unsure of when or if they will be provided proper shelter, support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Mayor Olivia Chow’s plea for the federal government to cover the $157 million Toronto spent on existing refugee claimant shelter spaces highlights the immense burden placed on the city and its resources. The inability of the current system to cope with the influx necessitates a more robust and sustainable funding model, supported by open dialogue and cooperation between different levels of government.

News: Freeland says feds’ ability to spend ‘not infinite’ as Toronto requests more money  

December 7, 2016

While Ontario has taken some steps to increase funding for homelessness prevention and rental housing costs, it remains clear that long-term, substantial support is needed to address the systemic capacity issues faced by municipalities. The call for consultation with municipal leaders on immigration targets and necessary supports is crucial for building an inclusive and resilient society.

Canada’s commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers is an essential part of its identity, reflecting the values of compassion, empathy, and humanity. However, these values must translate into practical and comprehensive actions. As the numbers of newcomers continue to rise, it is incumbent upon the Federal government, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, to ensure that proper shelter, housing, and support are readily available to those who have sought Canada as a beacon of hope in their darkest hours.

March 24, 2022

Canada’s spirit of compassion is boundless, but without a robust and proactive approach to assisting these desperate newcomers, the nation’s reputation as a safe harbour for the displaced could be tarnished. The time for immediate and effective action is now, to ensure that no one seeking refuge in Canada is left stranded on the rocky shores of uncertainty and despair. By stepping up and providing genuine assistance, Canada can truly stand as a shining example of humanitarianism and solidarity to the world. (AI)

Letters to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday August 2, 2023  

Cartoon unkind to workers

Letter to the Editor

The homeless situation in our city and in most major cities throughout our province is tragic.

I see no humour in MacKay’s editorial cartoon (July 28). The workers in the shelters are front-line workers who deal with this issue daily. These brave educated individuals strive to find solutions in this expanding and sometimes hopeless predicament. They are the ones who have to tell the refugees that there is no place for them, after having used up every available and imaginable space. There are no police officers guarding the doors and handing out cardboard boxes; indeed, MacKay also insults them.

Jan Peirson-Reid, Carlisle

 

Wednesday March 29, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 29, 2023

Canada’s Refugee Policy Takes a Hit: The Impact of Biden-Trudeau Border Deal and OHIP Cuts

March 3, 2023

Canada has been praised for its openness policy to refugees and asylum seekers in the past, but recent developments suggest this may no longer be the case. The recent border deal between Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau will see Canada officially accept 15,000 asylum-seekers from the Western hemisphere while also giving Canada the right to send back migrants who attempt to enter the country through unofficial crossings. Migrants were reportedly stunned by the new deal, which took effect immediately without notice. Migration advocates and experts warn that the amendment will drive asylum-seekers underground and could lead to increased deaths. Meanwhile, the Ford government in Ontario has ended OHIP health care coverage for undocumented migrants, making it more difficult for them to access healthcare. Critics say the changes are part of a trend of rich countries trying to ensure asylum-seekers never get to their borders. However, Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center, says there’s a sound political logic to the deal. It will alleviate pressure on the US border with its acceptance of 15,000 asylum-seekers while closing unofficial crossings, which may play well for the Liberals and the Democrats with their voters. (AI)

Trudeau to announce US-Canada asylum deal after Biden talks

Ford government cuts off medical funding for the uninsured — and a doctor finds it ‘shocking’ 

 

Friday March 3, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 3, 2023

Bused out of Quebec, francophone asylum seekers struggle to get medical services

Over the phone, the woman’s voice is regretful but hurried — she says she’s sorry, but if the French-speaking migrant on the other end of the line cannot find someone to translate English, the doctor won’t see him for the medical exam he needs in order to claim asylum in Canada.

March 24, 2022

CBC News obtained a recording of the phone conversation the man says took place Wednesday in Niagara Falls, Ont. 

“It’s not possible to speak with the doctor if you can’t speak English,” the woman tells him in French. “You have to find someone at your hotel to help you.” 

“I don’t know anyone here,” Guirlin — whose last name CBC News has agreed to withhold because of his precarious immigration status — replies.

Guirlin and his family are among the more than 5,500 asylum seekers who have been bused by Canada’s government from Quebec’s border with the U.S. to cities in Ontario, including Windsor, Cornwall and Niagara Falls. 

They are also among a number of those — mostly francophones from Haiti or countries in Africa — for whom the transfer happened against their wishes since they could not afford to find a place to stay immediately. Their plan all along was to live in Quebec.

February 17, 2023

Guirlin, his wife, who is six months pregnant, and their four-year-old son ended up in Niagara Falls on Feb. 14. Originally from Haiti, the family had been struggling to make ends meet in Brazil, when they decided to travel north through a dozen countries to make their way to Canada. 

When they arrived on Feb. 11 via Roxham Road, the popular irregular border crossing south of Montreal, they were asked by immigration officers where they planned to live in Canada.

“I said we want to stay in Montreal because I don’t speak English and my wife doesn’t either, and she needs to have medical appointments for the pregnancy,” Guirlin said in a phone interview Thursday. 

He says they were told in the following days there was no space for them in Montreal, and that they were being sent to Ontario. They boarded a bus with roughly 40 other asylum seekers from a number of other countries last Tuesday. For now, the government has put them up in a hotel. (CBC)