New commentary in The Hill Times from @ottawahealthlaw.ca member @yybrandonc.bsky.social examines how misinformation is shaping public debate on refugee health care in Canada. #RefugeeHealth #HealthPolicy #cdnpoli www.hilltimes.com/2026/06/17/m...

Misinformation is driving the debate over refugee health care - The Hill Times

In practice, access to care under the IFHP is often far more limited than critics suggest.

hilltimes.com

If you conduct research on Canada’s excessive demand policy — namely section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act — check out this call for papers! Please feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss the planned special issue or be connected with the guest editor.

Call for Papers | Journal of Canadian Studies | University of Toronto Press

Journal of Canadian Studies is seeking new insights on special topics to publish in an upcoming issue. See if this CFP is the right fit for your research.

utppublishing.com

Jamie Sarkonak’s vitriol in the National Post today about the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees is littered with misinformation and xenophobia. While much more can be said about the piece, here are a few false claims that require correction:

Ebola is unlikely to trigger an outbreak at the World Cup. Anyone saying otherwise doesn't understand the epidemiology of Ebola. I agree with this article - we have other pathogens that warrant more worry and planning at large events like this: measles, norovirus, etc.

Ebola at the World Cup? Here’s what we should actually worry about

“Infectious disease threats during the World Cup will almost certainly look much more familiar than frightening headlines suggest,” writes Krutika Kuppalli.

statnews.com

I'm privileged to have collaborated with fabulous colleagues @roojinhabibi.org & @jcyliew.bsky.social on this opinion piece appearing in @theglobeandmail.com. 1/2 www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: Suspending immigration over Ebola is misguided and goes against international law

Travel restrictions are not only ineffective at containing diseases, they create stigma and discourage future outbreak reporting

theglobeandmail.com

As this CBC News report highlights, the prospect of copayments is already affecting refugees’ access to health care. I appreciated the opportunity to contribute to this piece. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Experts fear new health care fees will push refugees out of care | CBC News

Windsor-Essex community members and experts say they are “panicking” that an upcoming new federal co-payment system will hurt access to healthcare for refugees and instead can increase overall costs.

cbc.ca

Grateful to finally hold a hardcopy of Forced Migration and Health Justice (OUP, 2026). My chapter, “Disqualify, Disincentivize, and Dissonate: Immigration Law as a Barrier to Migrants’ Healthcare Access,” examines how immigration law excludes and otherwise structure migrants' access to care. 1/3

Adding to concerns about planned intro of copayments to refugee healthcare: in this Ottawa Citizen interview, I stress the fact that copayments will apply to "supplemental" benefits does not make their impact on people’s health and wellbeing any less serious. ottawacitizen.com/news/refugee... #IFHP

She felt love in Canada as a refugee. As a doctor, she's losing hope for newcomers

A new co-payment model asks refugees to pay $4 for each prescription, 30 per cent of supplemental service costs. Advocates say it's unfair.

ottawacitizen.com

The Supreme Court of Canada just released its pivotal Charter equality rights decision in Quebec (AG) v Kanyinda. It was an honour to have co-represented FCJ Refugee Centre and the Madhu Varma Migrant Justice Centre in their intervention in this case. 1/

Canada will soon introduce a 30% co-payment on “supplemental coverage” under Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), along with a $4 fee per prescription. It is suggested that refugees & refugee claimants will still have access to emergency care for free. That claim obscures an important reality. 1/3

I’m deeply grateful to be named one of the inaugural Dean’s Research Professorships at @uocommonlaw.bsky.social. I look forward to using this opportunity to deepen and expand my work on migrant health equity.

UOttawa, Section de common law | Common Law Section@uocommonlaw.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Three new Dean’s Research Professorships are advancing bold work on migrant health equity, the law of democracy, and technology’s impact on justice. See how our researchers are shaping a democratic, digital and diverse future. bit.ly/4kTSox5 @yybrandonc.bsky.social @amysalyzyn.bsky.social

Three new Dean’s Research Professorships are advancing bold work on migrant health equity, the law of democracy, and technology’s impact on justice. See how our researchers are shaping a democratic, digital and diverse future. bit.ly/4kTSox5 @yybrandonc.bsky.social @amysalyzyn.bsky.social

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca @hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social on March 12 11:30–13:00 for a free webinar "Bordering Health: Medical Inadmissibility, Disability Rights, and Migrant Health" as we discuss the past, present and future of Canada's "excessive demand" policy. www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/borde...

Medical Inadmissibility, Disability Rights, and Migrant Health

Event

ottawahealthlaw.ca

Health care cuts carry real human costs, and making them quietly only worsens the harm by denying people the opportunity to prepare. I spoke with CBC News about Alberta’s recent decision to remove health coverage for International Experience Canada work permit holders. 1/2 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Calgary - CBC News

Stay on top of Calgary with the latest in news, weather, events and interviews.

cbc.ca

Budget 2025 demonstrates a weak commitment to expanding and improving public health care and little vision to end the crisis facing millions of Canadians who can't access the care they need. Here are 4 things you need to know:

4 things you need to know about health care in the federal budget

Cuts, broken promises, and missed opportunities for health care in Carney's first budget

healthcoalition.ca

Canada’s #Budget2025 includes plans to “introduce a modest co-payment model” to the Interim Federal Health Program for “supplemental health products or services (such as prescription medication and dental care).” In plain terms, this means cutting healthcare benefits for refugees and asylum seekers.

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca Oct 2–3 for a national conference: Reframing Mental Health Law: Emerging Controversies and Cross-Sector Perspectives. Keynotes: @Kwame_McKenzie & Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt. Student rates available. Hope to see you there! www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/conferences/...

Reframing Mental Health Law – Emerging Controversies and Cross-Sector Perspectives

Conference @University of Ottawa October 2/3, 2025

ottawahealthlaw.ca

This winter I was privileged to partake in a working group led by N4 (National Newcomer Navigation Network) that aimed to improve health equity for users of the Interim Federal Health Program. The final report, with a list of recommendations, can be found here: www.yybrandonchen.com/_files/ugd/2...

The so-called “Strong Borders Act” will significantly weaken Canada’s humanitarian tradition and commitment to human rights. Check out this statement from Canadian Council for Refugees:

Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear the Kanyinda case in 2 weeks. I'm honoured to act as counsel for @fcjrefugeecentre.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy & @madhucentre.bsky.social in their joint intervention. We argue the Canadian Charter must meaningfully protect substantive equality of migrants.

Today, on Refugee Rights Day, the HIV Legal Network joins advocates across the country in reiterating its call to Canada to end immigration detention and uphold the right to health for all. Read more: www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/today-i...

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! On June 10-12, 2025, the @uodroitpublaw.bsky.social, the @umontreal.ca and @schulichlaw.bsky.social will hold an academic conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada. Conference and registration details here: lnkd.in/esKJMbqR. Join us!

Gabriel Allahdua, with the Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers, is sharing insights on advocating for the rights and well-being of migrant workers. A crucial conversation on the culture of silence and migrant labour rights! #MigrantRights #CHLPE #WorkersRights

Kerian Burnett is sharing her powerful journey as a former migrant worker and cancer survivor. Her story sheds light on the challenges of accessing healthcare. A truly impactful and inspiring presentation! Join the @ottawahealthlaw sponsored event. #MigrantRights #HealthcareAccess #CHLPE

Happening now! Stacey Gomez, Executive Director of the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights in Nova Scotia, is presenting @ottawahealthlaw sponsored event. Don’t miss her insights on migrant worker health advocacy and social justice! 🌎✊ #MigrantRights #CHLPE #SocialJustice

Spoke to CBC News about the health care insecurity of Iranian newcomers who are in Quebec under a temporary immigration policy. /1 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

They came to Canada to escape political instability in Iran. Now, Quebec is denying them health coverage | CBC News

Political instability in Iran prompted Canada to offer special immigration measures to Iranians, but open work permit holders are not eligible for public health insurance coverage in Quebec.

cbc.ca

Honoured to be part of this event to dissect the current state of Medicare. Will take this opportunity to push for a more inclusive Medicare for migrants.

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics@ottawahealthlaw.ca · 2y ago

SOS Medicare 3.0 Conference! February 24, 2025. Hosted by the Canadian Health Coalition & partners and featuring CHLPE members: Ivy Bourgeault and Y.Y. Chen.
Learn more: sosmedicare.ca #SOSMedicare #Medicare3 #PublicHealthCare

Feb 25th! Migrant Workers' Right to Health Care. Come join this panel moderated by the brilliant @yybrandonc.bsky.social in Fauteux Hall Room 359 at 11:30am.

Share some love AND support the HIV Legal Network this Valentine’s Day! Let the people you love know how much you value them and how deeply you care about human rights by sending a Valentine’s Day message through the HIV Legal Network. www.gifttool.com/donations/Do...

Kerian Burnett was diagnosed with cancer when working as a migrant farm worker. She was denied health coverage and she also lost her job because of her health condition. On Feb. 25, she tells us her experience & the impressive work involved in her successful advocacy for migrant healthcare. Join us!

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics@ottawahealthlaw.ca · last yr.

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca at the University of Ottawa on Tuesday February 25 at 11:30 am–1:00 pm for "Migrant Workers’ Right to Health Care: Lived and Frontline". Featuring Kerian Burnett, Stacey Gomez, Gabriel Allahdua, and Y.Y. Chen. All welcome! www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/migrants