"Other" Troubles: Deconstructing Perceptions and Changing Responses to Refugees in Canada.
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.
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.
Christopher
C
Olsen
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.
Rowan
R
El-Bialy
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.
Mark
M
Mckelvie
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.
Peggy
P
Rauman
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. fbrunger@mun.ca.
Fern
F
Brunger
D002170:Canada; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010465:Perception; D011203:Poverty; D011640:Public Policy; D012036:Refugees
Canada; Healthcare; Interim federal health program (IFHP); Refugee policy