Refugees and Holders of Work Permits Need Best Immigration Lawyer to Fight For Their Human Rights
On June 25th, viewers of the Téléjournal news report on Radio-Canada were introduced to the plight of Ms. Rosa Callalli, a Gatineau resident who is eight-months pregnant with her second child, but has yet to consult a doctor for the duration of this pregnancy due to administrative hurdles with her provincial government.
Ms. Callalli landed in Ontario in 2008 and obtained a work-permit in the context of the Government of Canada’s Live-in Caregiver program, which at the time also entitled her to an Ontario Health Card which she was able to rely on when she gave birth to her first child, born in an Ottawa hospital.
In 2013 Ms. Callalli married a Quebec resident and thus moved to Gatineau where she applied for permanent immigration to Canada, and obtained an open work-permit in the meantime.
However, as a result of her status, the government of Quebec is refusing to allow Ms. Callalli access to health insurance for her and her unborn child.
Of course, the lack of access to healthcare for those also seeking immigration to Canada on humanitarian grounds is also an issue for which the best immigration lawyers are currently fighting to correct.
As recently reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, refugees whose status is fully recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada are still being turned away from health clinics in Montreal and Toronto, despite being entitled to free healthcare.
Furthermore, Canadian refugee advocacy groups are increasingly worried the Cabinet is moving to deny refugees the healthcare they have relied on in Canada since 1957, challenging the Federal Court system in the process.
Those seeking immigration to Canada should be aware that Canada voted in favour of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognizes access to medical care as a right for all.
If you are currently fighting administrative barriers which are preventing you or someone seeking immigration to Canada from receiving access to healthcare, or you wish to immigrate to Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds, you should not hesitate to contact the best immigration lawyer whose office can provide you with the support you need at this time.
Navigating the complex Canadian immigration system successfully often requires the help of the best immigration lawyers who will give your case the individualized attention it deserves.
Don’t be refused medical treatment during your immigration process—get legal assistance today.
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Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.