LIBS 1580 - Evaluating Canadian Services to African Immigrants

This essay examines the services provided by Canada to African immigrants, focusing on healthcare access and the principles of equality enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Multiculturalism Act. The analysis is based on a qualitative study of African immigrant and refugee families' experiences in accessing primary healthcare in Manitoba. The essay highlights improvements in healthcare services for immigrants, supported by statistical data and addresses how these initiatives contribute to a just and equal society in Canada. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between culture and identity, using personal experiences to illustrate the impact of Canadian culture on shaping individual perspectives and actions, particularly in relation to serving immigrant communities. The essay concludes that Canada's multicultural policies and the evolving attitudes of its citizens have positively influenced the integration and support of refugees and immigrants.

Running Head: CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
A large section of Canadian population are African immigrants. Since the inception of
this immigration issue Canada has shown a positive attitude to shelter and serve the
refugee .This study aims to analyse the article –“ A qualitative study on African immigrant
and refugee families’ experiences of accessing primary health care services in Manitoba,
Canada: it’s not easy! ” published in “International Journal for Equity in Health” and find out
he improvements in the services provided by Canada to a specific cultural group-African
immigrants. In this context the essay also discusses how Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Multiculturalism Act. Attempt to establish equality in
Canada. In the final section of the essay I attempt to elaborate the relationship between
culture and identity of a person with the help of a personal example.
This article takes health care services as one of the parameters. It states that previously
African refugee had to face problems while accessing primary health services, in the early
phase of 21st century. This article also argues that, due to drastic change in policies regarding
the support services to the immigrants, they can now easily access primary healthcare
services as well as other basic amenities of life. This article has also supported this
information with statistical data. Nearly 83 families who migrated to Canada from several
countries of Africa were interviewed. Also the quantitative data regarding healthcare services
were collected taking 2013 and 2015 as a favourable period of time for data analysis. The
study revealed that previously African immigrants had to undergo challenges like
complicated procedure of the healthcare system, expensive medication and delay in
treatment, costly transportation. The situation has been improved during 2014 and 2015 as
government had subsidized health care facilities to the immigrants (Woodgate, et al., 2017).
.

2CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
Discuss how the initiative in the article helps to create a just and equal in Canada, with
reference to Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom includes -Fundamental freedoms,
Democratic rights, Mobility rights, Legal rights, Equality rights, Language rights, Minority
language education rights and so on. According to the new amendment of this right, those
who had been deceived of fundamental freedom, equality rights, minority language education
rights will be provided rewards as compensation (Mensah & Williams, 2015). The minority
language education right create provision for language education to the African immigrants
so that they do not face any problem while communicating with the Canadian citizens. It also
create for the overall education o0f the African immigrants (Francis &Yan, 2016).
Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Multiculturalism Act states that the immigrants
as well as the citizens under the law will get equal facilities. This right ensures no more
citizen of Canada has to face issues regarding basic health care and education facilities due to
the government concern for the immigrants. Again, this right also ensures instant access of
the primary healthcare services by African immigrants (Stewart, et al., 2015).
The relationship between culture and identity of a person can be elaborated with real
life examples. Being a citizen of Canada my culture has shaped my nature mentality.
Canadian people are always inclined to art and music. The songs of the Canadian Blues
singers like Marshall Lawrence, Tracey Lindberg, Colin Linden influenced me a lot. Again,
Canadians believe in kindness as well as generosity. There were several myths regarding the
immigrants in Canada which I heard from my parents and relatives when I was a child.
Gradually as I grew I realised the baselessness of those myths. The kindness generosity and
love for music has shaped my identity too. As a result I have inculcated the qualities of a
good singer and attached with an NGO that aims to serve the immigrants in Canada.

3CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
In the conclusion it can be said that Canadian people as well the government have
understood the benefits of a multicultural society this has been reflected in the changes
occurred in the laws regarding immigrants also the transformation of the attitude of Canadian
citizens towards refugees and immigrants.

4CANADIAN SERVICES TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
References
Francis, J., & Yan, M. C. (2016). Bridging the gaps: access to formal support services among
young African immigrants and refugees in metro Vancouver. Canadian Ethnic
Studies, 48(1), 77-100.
Mensah, J., & Williams, C. J. (2015). Seeing/being double: How African immigrants in
Canada balance their ethno-racial and national identities. African and Black
Diaspora: An International Journal, 8(1), 39-54.
Stewart, M., Dennis, C. L., Kariwo, M., Kushner, K. E., Letourneau, N., Makumbe, K., ... &
Shizha, E. (2015). Challenges faced by refugee new parents from Africa in
Canada. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 17(4), 1146-1156.
Woodgate, R. L., Busolo, D. S., Crockett, M., Dean, R. A., Amaladas, M. R., & Plourde, P. J.
(2017). A qualitative study on African immigrant and refugee families’ experiences of
accessing primary health care services in Manitoba, Canada: it’s not
easy!. International journal for equity in health, 16(1), 5.