MEDIA ADVISORY: Delays in regularization program continue negative health impact, health providers warn in new open letter

Health for All network

Ottawa, October 11, 2022 – Nearly a thousand members of the cross-Canada Healthcare for All network as well as healthcare organizations will release an exclusive letter addressed to Prime Minister Trudeau asking the federal government to immediately deliver a comprehensive regularization program that would ensure permanent residency to half a million undocumented people in Canada, as well as ensure permanent residency for all migrants, including workers, students, refugees and families. 

Health workers see firsthand the devastating impacts caused by temporary and undocumented immigration status, including patients getting sicker and in some cases dying; and being pushed further into poverty because of high costs of treatment and medication. Permanent immigration status for all would ensure equal rights for patients and reduced burden on our healthcare system. Undocumented people are also healthcare providers and permanent immigration status would ensure they have the power to protect themselves. The letter also urges provinces and territories to take action. 

Available for interviews:

• Ontario: Dr. Vanessa Reddit, family physician
• British Columbia: Dr. Mei-ling Wiedmeyer, family physician; Nesa Hamidi Tousi, nurse practitioner
• Quebec: Dr. Arnold Aberman, general practitioner, Quebec
• Nova Scotia: Dr. Monika Dutt, family physician and public health specialist

Press release & letter will be made available at 7am EST, October 12 at www.decentworkandhealth.org/status_release 

To arrange interviews, contact:

Sarah Shahid
[email protected] | 514-415-4666

About: 

Healthcare for All Network consists of members of the health community across Canada who support full and permanent immigration status as a way to improve individual and community health.