YourDictionary defines marginalization as “to exclude or ignore esp. by relegating to the outer edge of a group or by diverting the public's attention to something else.” Mallaly (2007) states that “marginalization affects primarily people of colour, old and young persons, many single mothers and their children, and physically and mentally disabled people.” Marginalization is a form of oppression that immigrants may feel upon entering a whole new world to them.
For a person to immigrate to Canada the average cost is over five hundred dollars according to Citizen and Immigration Canada and the wait time is approximately 15-19 months. The cost of over five hundred dollars does not include work permits, study permits, children, dependents or other family members; this is the cost for just a single applicant. In 2007, in addition to the wait time and costly process, an applicant that is expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada can be deemed inadmissible if they do not pass the medical examination for reasons that include mental and physical disabilities. According to My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: A qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants (Dean & Wilson, 2010) immigrants in Canada make up approximately 20% of the total population and in the future will continue to account for a significant portion of the country's population.
According to Pay to Pass (Rosenberg 2008), if an applicant fails to pass a medical examination or if the applicant has a condition that is “expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada,” the applicant will be considered inadmissible. “In 2007, the excessive demand threshold was set at $4,806 per year ($24,030 over a five-year period).” This amount will most likely not get an immigrant coming into Canada that far and especially not adequate for persons with physical disabilities needing social services. On the other hand, if a person who does not pass the medical examination can provide a convincing financial plan that they plan to follow, the immigration officer can now deem the immigrant as admissible. “Such a financial plan would usually take the form of a statutory declaration of ability and intent to cover the costs of social services. It may also include a detailed credible care plan, financial documents and commitment letters from those involved in providing the care for the applicant.”
There are strict rules and regulations around who can enter with and without passing their medical examinations. According to Pay to Pass (Rosenberg 2008), “certain applicants, such as spouses or dependent children who are being sponsored, refugees and other protected persons are exempted from the minimum health requirements, so long as they do not have a medical condition that would pose a threat to public health or safety. Other applicants, such as sponsored parents and grandparents, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, provincial nominees and the rest all have to pass their medical examinations in full.”
The study My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: A qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants done on immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area revealed that most people feel overwhelmed and stressed upon arriving and trying to get by day to day. In the study, it is interesting to note that “nearly all participants (20) expressed negative views about the health care system in Canada ranging from difficulty in finding a family physician, to long wait times and to dissatisfaction with services” (Dean & Wilson, 2010)
In the journal article done by Malmusi, Borrell & Benach (2010) it was discussed that immigrants often have better living conditions in their home country before immigrating to a new country. Migration-related health inequalities: Showing the complex interactions between gender, social class and place of origin “showed that cumulative inequality, both in the place of origin, with poorer socio-economic environment in childhood and growth and in the place of destination, with chronic exposure to work hazards, poor living conditions, hardship and discrimination, mechanisms that are well recognized as causal factors of racial and ethnic inequalities in health” (Malmusi, Borrell & Benach, 2010).
In conclusion, with all of the information provided, when an immigrant is accepted into Canada, should they not be treated equally like everyone else in the country? Why do they have a restriction put on them to use only $4,806 per year for social services? If Canada is allowing immigrants into Canada then why are they not fully prepared to provide for them just as they are to provide for other citizens living within the country?
References
Deana, J, & Wilson, K. (2010). My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: a qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants. Social Science & Medicine, 70(8), doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.01.009
Malmusi, D, Borrell, C, & Benach, J. (2010). Migration-related health inequalities: showing the complex interactions between gender, social class and place of origin. Social Science & Medicine, 71(9), doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.07.043
Mullaly, R. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
-Tiffany
For a person to immigrate to Canada the average cost is over five hundred dollars according to Citizen and Immigration Canada and the wait time is approximately 15-19 months. The cost of over five hundred dollars does not include work permits, study permits, children, dependents or other family members; this is the cost for just a single applicant. In 2007, in addition to the wait time and costly process, an applicant that is expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada can be deemed inadmissible if they do not pass the medical examination for reasons that include mental and physical disabilities. According to My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: A qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants (Dean & Wilson, 2010) immigrants in Canada make up approximately 20% of the total population and in the future will continue to account for a significant portion of the country's population.
According to Pay to Pass (Rosenberg 2008), if an applicant fails to pass a medical examination or if the applicant has a condition that is “expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada,” the applicant will be considered inadmissible. “In 2007, the excessive demand threshold was set at $4,806 per year ($24,030 over a five-year period).” This amount will most likely not get an immigrant coming into Canada that far and especially not adequate for persons with physical disabilities needing social services. On the other hand, if a person who does not pass the medical examination can provide a convincing financial plan that they plan to follow, the immigration officer can now deem the immigrant as admissible. “Such a financial plan would usually take the form of a statutory declaration of ability and intent to cover the costs of social services. It may also include a detailed credible care plan, financial documents and commitment letters from those involved in providing the care for the applicant.”
There are strict rules and regulations around who can enter with and without passing their medical examinations. According to Pay to Pass (Rosenberg 2008), “certain applicants, such as spouses or dependent children who are being sponsored, refugees and other protected persons are exempted from the minimum health requirements, so long as they do not have a medical condition that would pose a threat to public health or safety. Other applicants, such as sponsored parents and grandparents, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, provincial nominees and the rest all have to pass their medical examinations in full.”
The study My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: A qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants done on immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area revealed that most people feel overwhelmed and stressed upon arriving and trying to get by day to day. In the study, it is interesting to note that “nearly all participants (20) expressed negative views about the health care system in Canada ranging from difficulty in finding a family physician, to long wait times and to dissatisfaction with services” (Dean & Wilson, 2010)
In the journal article done by Malmusi, Borrell & Benach (2010) it was discussed that immigrants often have better living conditions in their home country before immigrating to a new country. Migration-related health inequalities: Showing the complex interactions between gender, social class and place of origin “showed that cumulative inequality, both in the place of origin, with poorer socio-economic environment in childhood and growth and in the place of destination, with chronic exposure to work hazards, poor living conditions, hardship and discrimination, mechanisms that are well recognized as causal factors of racial and ethnic inequalities in health” (Malmusi, Borrell & Benach, 2010).
In conclusion, with all of the information provided, when an immigrant is accepted into Canada, should they not be treated equally like everyone else in the country? Why do they have a restriction put on them to use only $4,806 per year for social services? If Canada is allowing immigrants into Canada then why are they not fully prepared to provide for them just as they are to provide for other citizens living within the country?
References
Deana, J, & Wilson, K. (2010). My health has improved because I always have everything I need here…: a qualitative exploration of health improvement and decline among immigrants. Social Science & Medicine, 70(8), doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.01.009
Malmusi, D, Borrell, C, & Benach, J. (2010). Migration-related health inequalities: showing the complex interactions between gender, social class and place of origin. Social Science & Medicine, 71(9), doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.07.043
Mullaly, R. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
-Tiffany
It sounds like if possible immigrants can't make Canada any money, Canada doesn't want them. I wonder if this is because Canada accepts so many refugee's that tax the healthcare system that the government feels they can't handle the burden anymore immigrants to tax the system.
ReplyDeleteJordan
Your post had a lot of good facts! I take for granted being born in this country. My parents came here to further their education, went back home then came back. I have never asked them how long the proccess was, but I never really stopped to think about it. It's a shame that so many people come to this country with valuable skills and end up working in fast food or driving a taxi. Not that those are bad jobs, but we have a need for doctors and nurses and many other job skills, and we have people with those skills living in this country but they can't afford to get the schooling to be considered "up to standard" in Canada.
ReplyDeleteJennilee M.
Such an extreme change, like one caused by immigration can be hard but the extra variables many face who come here without any previous family roots is incredible. I find it ridiculous that some stick their nose up at immigration, nevertheless immigrants obviously have the intelligence and tenacity to achieve despite their numerous obstacles. Though as Canadian citizens they should be added through the welfare system to attain the equal quality of life as their fellow (but longer residing) citizens.
ReplyDeleteHolly L