Refugees' access to healthcare in Canada

Canada is a nation with a policy of multiculturalism and a deep history of welcoming refugees from around the world. As Olsen et al. (2016) state, “the integration of refugees into Canadian society is promoted as a source of pride and nation-building, adding to the richness and diversity of the Canadian population” (p. 58). However, the influx of refugees in Canada with diverse and complex health needs has presented a number of challenges within the healthcare system (Joshi et al., 2013, p. 2). Unfortunately, refugees experience various barriers when accessing healthcare services such as racism, discrimination and othering. These barriers are systemic and are influenced by a Eurocentric worldview, which does not always take into consideration other ways of knowing. As a result, this paper suggests that implementation of culturally safe practice could bridge the gap between health providers and refugees. Also, this paper demonstrates that unsafe cultural behaviours and actions continue to deny healthcare access to refugees. Rousseau et al. (2008) writes, “from a human rights perspective, regulations and administrative policies highlighted by this study target specific vulnerable groups within Canada and are completely at odds with the Equality Rights set out by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” (p. 291). Finally, this paper calls for an attitude change toward refugees, and corollary changes in policies, which will positively impact the health trajectories of refugees and reduce health inequality in the Canadian health system.