Shifting Paradigms: Exploring the Evolution of Canada's Immigration Policies for Disabled Immigrants


Freda Okoma, University of Calgary

This paper aims to investigate recent updates in Canada’s federal immigration policies regarding their inclusivity towards immigrants with disabilities. Context: Historically, Canadian immigration policies have often excluded people with disabilities (El-sahib and Wehbi, 2012; Hanes, 2009; Wong, 2011). However, recent reforms, including the increase in the threshold for medical inadmissibility, signify a shift towards greater inclusivity (Government of Canada, 2018; Moving2canada, 2024). This paper seeks to answer two key questions: what changes have been made in the most recent updates to Canada’s immigration eligibility criteria, and how do these changes address the historical exclusion of immigrants with a disability? Method: The research will involve a policy analysis of key government documents detailing these updates, particularly the Canada Immigration Act. For instance, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has noted that a balance is in the works to both protect publicly funded health and social services by increasing the cost threshold for medical inadmissibility to three times the prior level as well as amending the definition of social and vocational services and personal (Moving2Canada, 2024). NVivo will be used for data analysis, applying a critical lens informed by disability and race studies. This approach is selected to comprehensively understand the intersectionality of the policies and their real-world implications. Implications: This paper contributes to the scholarly understanding of disability within the context of immigration. It holds significant implications for policymaking and advocacy, focusing on creating more inclusive and equitable policies. By emphasizing the complexity of experiences at the intersection of disability and race, the chapter adds a critical voice to the discourse on disability rights and immigration. This analysis aims to offer insights into the evolving landscape of immigration policies, advocating for a nuanced approach that acknowledges and accommodates the diversity of individuals seeking to make Canada their home.

Non-presenting authors: Alan Santinele Martino, University of Calgary; Katrina Milaney, University of Calgary

This paper will be presented at the following session: