Olivia Chow, MP

Chow introduces legislation to end discrimination against persons with disabilities looking to immigrate to Canada

Today in the House of Commons, Olivia Chow introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at ending discrimination towards persons with disabilities in Canada’s immigration system:

Bill C-556. Introduction and first reading

    Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-556, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (exception to inadmissibility).

     She said: Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to introduce a bill that speaks on behalf of those vulnerable people who are denied immigration status because of their health conditions.

    This bill is looking forward to stopping discrimination against living with disabilities by improving our Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and by making it fair and equitable.

    I want to thank my former colleague, Judy Wasylycia-Leis for all her work on this issue in the past, working in favour of those living with disabilities and protecting their rights.

    The act currently suggests discriminating against people with living with disabilities by prohibiting them from immigrating to Canada since they might represent an excessive on our society. That was the case of David and Sophie Barlagne, a French family that was told by the federal court that their daughter, Rachel who was cerebral palsy constituted an excessive damage on the social service resources of the province of Quebec, even though the family can support her.

    Through these actions, the government is telling the family that their child is a burden. That is the reason this bill guarantees an opportunity of a appeal process for people with a disability who have applied for immigration but have been turned down. This bill allows them to prove they have abilities that need to be recognized and that in fact they will not pose an excessive demand on our society and on the country they can offer great contributions to.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Bill C-557. Introduction and first reading

    Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-557, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (appeals).

     She said: Mr. Speaker, it an honour to introduce a bill that amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. It is amending section 38 that excludes people with disabilities from immigrating to Canada, even though they have been accepted by the provincial government and have the financial means to support themselves.

    Canada signed the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities while still systematically undermining it by falling back on old stereotypes.

    Tonight in Toronto, the Canadian Paraplegic Association is celebrating its 60th year of existence and of its excellent work. No one should be deported or barred from Canada after becoming physically disabled in Canada.

    I urge all members to support equal rights for all persons in Canada.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)