Take action: Tell ministers to grant health care to all, regardless of immigration status

The UN Human Rights Committee has directed Canada to grant essential health care to irregular migrants. Canada must report to the UN Human Rights Council by February 12 on whether it will comply with the Committee’s decision. Let’s make sure they do.

One year ago, on January 9, Canada lost a universal health care champion when Nell Toussaint died at the age of 54.

Nell was not able to access health care when she needed it because of her irregular immigration status. Believing everyone should have timely and equal access to health care, Nell went to the United Nations, arguing that Canada had violated her rights to life and to non-discrimination. In a historic decision, the UN Human Rights Committee agreed with Nell and directed the Canadian government to grant essential health care to irregular migrants. Canada refused, so Nell took Canada to the Ontario Superior Court in an effort to get the Canadian government to stop denying irregular migrants access to health care. Clearing legal hurdles, that court challenge continues today.

This week, Nell’s advocates, including human rights organizations, are urging Health Minister Mark Holland, Justice Minister Arif Virani and other responsible ministers to accept recommendations made at Canada’s recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council: ensure access to health care without discrimination on the basis of immigration status and fully implement the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee in Nell Toussaint v Canada CCPR/C/123/D/2348/2014 (30 August 2018).

To amplify the voices making this request to our ministers, please send a letter too.