Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 58-66

“Other” Troubles: Deconstructing Perceptions and Changing Responses to Refugees in Canada (Article)

Olsen C. , El-Bialy R. , Mckelvie M. , Rauman P. , Brunger F.*
  • a Division of Community Health and Humanities, HSC 2830A, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
  • b Division of Community Health and Humanities, HSC 2830A, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
  • c Division of Community Health and Humanities, HSC 2830A, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
  • d Division of Community Health and Humanities, HSC 2830A, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
  • e Division of Community Health and Humanities, HSC 2830A, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada

Abstract

Canadian national identity is based on a self-image of humanitarianism and liberality governed by ethical and moral principles of social justice, universal health care and equity for all. However, recent changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) demonstrate that the current discourse on refugee policy in Canada is built on a socially constructed image of “the refugee.” Drawing on contemporary refugee literature we look at how refugees are constructed as the ‘Other,’ both nationally and internationally. Using the recent changes to the IFHP as a case example, we demonstrate that the construction of “the refugee” as an Other has informed the cuts to refugee care in Canada. Exposing Othering in Canadian refugee policy is necessary for providing helpful and equitable treatment to refugees in Canada © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

healthcare Canada Interim federal health program (IFHP) Refugee policy

Index Keywords

Canada perception refugee public policy Healthcare Disparities poverty health disparity Health Status Disparities organization and management health care disparity human Humans Refugees public health National Health Programs
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84954402966&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-014-9983-0&partnerID=40&md5=2660df38cbea223b07a31e281c952510
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-9983-0
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English