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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 1/2016

01-02-2016 | Original Paper

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

Authors: Christopher Olsen, Rowan El-Bialy, Mark Mckelvie, Peggy Rauman, Fern Brunger

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2016

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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
Footnotes
1
We acknowledge that ‘refugee’ is not an essential state of being or an individual identity, but rather it is a social construction of those individuals who find themselves in a situation where their security is jeopardized, as outlined by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. We use the phrase “the refugee” in this paper within quotation marks to acknowledge this construction, and as a way of problematizing the way in which refugees are essentialized and the heterogeneity within and between individual refugee experiences is negated.
 
2
Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, to achieve power over another, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation at a minimum can include prostitution of others, or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
 
3
The Refugee Assistance Program provides support that can last up to 1 year from date of arrival in Canada or until the person is independent. It may include accommodation, clothing, food, finding employment, and other resettlement assistance.
 
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Metadata
Title
“Other” Troubles: Deconstructing Perceptions and Changing Responses to Refugees in Canada
Authors
Christopher Olsen
Rowan El-Bialy
Mark Mckelvie
Peggy Rauman
Fern Brunger
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-9983-0

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