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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Jul 20

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca Oct 2–3 for a national conference: Reframing Mental Health Law: Emerging Controversies and Cross-Sector Perspectives. Keynotes: @Kwame_McKenzie & Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt. Student rates available. Hope to see you there! www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/conferences/...

Reframing Mental Health Law – Emerging Controversies and Cross-Sector Perspectives

Conference @University of Ottawa October 2/3, 2025

www.ottawahealthlaw.ca

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Jun 16

This winter I was privileged to partake in a working group led by N4 (National Newcomer Navigation Network) that aimed to improve health equity for users of the Interim Federal Health Program. The final report, with a list of recommendations, can be found here: www.yybrandonchen.com/_files/ugd/2...

Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Jun 6

The so-called “Strong Borders Act” will significantly weaken Canada’s humanitarian tradition and commitment to human rights. Check out this statement from Canadian Council for Refugees:

Statement on Bill C-2 | Canadian Council for Refugees

June 5, 2025

ccrweb.ca

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · May 17

Hearty congratulations on this milestone!! You rock.

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · May 15

Thank you so much for your moral support, my friend! Fingers crossed for a positive outcome, for the sake of migrants and refugees, as well as the coherence of Charter equality rights analysis. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Apr 30

These arguments are largely grounded in the reflections I made in a forthcoming book chapter. While the chapter considers the deficiency of s.15 in the healthcare context, the facts in Kanyinda show that the same troubling "xenophobic gap" exists elsewhere. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

The Xenophobic Gap in the Canadian Charter's Equality Guarantee

Despite the equality guarantee in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ("Charter"), xenophobic laws and government decisions persist in Canada.

papers.ssrn.com

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Apr 30

To that end, we will urge the Court to recognize immigration status as a prohibited ground of discrimination under s.15 of the Charter, and to adopt a broader understanding of citizenship-based distinctions. We also argue that discriminatory effects of law must be examined through intersectionality.

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Apr 30

Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear the Kanyinda case in 2 weeks. I'm honoured to act as counsel for @fcjrefugeecentre.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy & @madhucentre.bsky.social in their joint intervention. We argue the Canadian Charter must meaningfully protect substantive equality of migrants.

Supreme Court of Canada | 41210

www.scc-csc.ca

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Apr 10

🔥🔥🔥

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

HIV Legal Network @hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 4

Today, on Refugee Rights Day, the HIV Legal Network joins advocates across the country in reiterating its call to Canada to end immigration detention and uphold the right to health for all.

Read more: www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/today-i...

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

Vanessa MacDonnell @vanessamacdonnell.bsky.social · Mar 27

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! On June 10-12, 2025, the @uodroitpublaw.bsky.social, the @umontreal.ca and @schulichlaw.bsky.social will hold an academic conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada. Conference and registration details here: lnkd.in/esKJMbqR. Join us!

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Mar 21

You are too kind, Roojin!

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Feb 25

Gabriel Allahdua, with the Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers, is sharing insights on advocating for the rights and well-being of migrant workers. A crucial conversation on the culture of silence and migrant labour rights! #MigrantRights #CHLPE #WorkersRights

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Feb 25

Kerian Burnett is sharing her powerful journey as a former migrant worker and cancer survivor. Her story sheds light on the challenges of accessing healthcare. A truly impactful and inspiring presentation! Join the @ottawahealthlaw sponsored event. #MigrantRights #HealthcareAccess #CHLPE

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Feb 25

Happening now! Stacey Gomez, Executive Director of the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights in Nova Scotia, is presenting @ottawahealthlaw sponsored event. Don’t miss her insights on migrant worker health advocacy and social justice! 🌎✊ #MigrantRights #CHLPE #SocialJustice

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 25

Unlike a work permit that restricts migrant workers to a single employer, an open work permit gives them more freedom to change jobs. This flexibility helps protect them from exploitation and mistreatment. However, in Quebec, having this added workplace protection comes with a major downside. /2

Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 25

Before Quebec reforms its policy, I also identified in the interview a few ways that the federal government could step in temporarily to fill the health care coverage gap, including the extension of the Interim Federal Health Program to the Iranian newcomers. /4

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 25

Most migrants with open work permits, including the Iranian newcomers, are not eligible for RAMQ, the province’s public health insurance. This policy is both unfair and illogical, and it’s long past time for a change. /3

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 25

Spoke to CBC News about the health care insecurity of Iranian newcomers who are in Quebec under a temporary immigration policy. /1 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

They came to Canada to escape political instability in Iran. Now, Quebec is denying them health coverage | CBC News

Political instability in Iran prompted Canada to offer special immigration measures to Iranians, but open work permit holders are not eligible for public health insurance coverage in Quebec.

www.cbc.ca

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 24

Honoured to be part of this event to dissect the current state of Medicare. Will take this opportunity to push for a more inclusive Medicare for migrants.

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Feb 6

SOS Medicare 3.0 Conference! February 24, 2025. Hosted by the Canadian Health Coalition & partners and featuring CHLPE members: Ivy Bourgeault and Y.Y. Chen. Learn more: sosmedicare.ca
#SOSMedicare #Medicare3 #PublicHealthCare

SOS Medicare 3.0 – Building a Public Health Care Movement

sosmedicare.ca

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

Jamie Chai Yun Liew (she/her) @jcyliew.bsky.social · Feb 18

Feb 25th! Migrant Workers' Right to Health Care. Come join this panel moderated by the brilliant @yybrandonc.bsky.social in Fauteux Hall Room 359 at 11:30am.

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

HIV Legal Network @hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social · Feb 13

Share some love AND support the HIV Legal Network this Valentine’s Day!

Let the people you love know how much you value them and how deeply you care about human rights by sending a Valentine’s Day message through the HIV Legal Network.

www.gifttool.com/donations/Do...

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 12

Kerian Burnett was diagnosed with cancer when working as a migrant farm worker. She was denied health coverage and she also lost her job because of her health condition. On Feb. 25, she tells us her experience & the impressive work involved in her successful advocacy for migrant healthcare. Join us!

uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics @ottawahealthlaw.ca · Feb 12

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca at the University of Ottawa on Tuesday February 25 at 11:30 am–1:00 pm for "Migrant Workers’ Right to Health Care: Lived and Frontline". Featuring Kerian Burnett, Stacey Gomez, Gabriel Allahdua, and Y.Y. Chen. All welcome! www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/migrants

Migrant Workers’ Right to Health Care

Event

www.ottawahealthlaw.ca

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Y.Y. Brandon Chen @yybrandonc.bsky.social · Feb 6

Honoured to be a part of #SOSMedicare2025 Conference in Ottawa, to stand up for public health care and support frontline workers. Hope you can join us on Feb. 24-25! 💪🏽🏥 sosmedicare.ca

SOS Medicare 3.0 – Building a Public Health Care Movement

sosmedicare.ca

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Reposted by Y.Y. Brandon Chen

Sean Rehaag @seanrehaag.bsky.social · Dec 9

Oh, look: The thing that Canadian immigration law experts said would happen, happened

Closing safe routes for asylum seekers doesn't reduce the number of asylum seekers. It increases irregular movement, enriches smugglers & puts lives at risk

www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...

Image of excerpts from news article:
The Globe and Mail
Immigration department received intelligence about huge rise in clandestine US-Canada border crossings last year
[…] The CBSA briefing says that since the border crossing at Roxham Road in Quebec was closed in 2023, stopping people immediately claiming asylum with a change to the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., there has been a big increase in people clandestinely crossing the border into Canada.
“Clandestine entry into Canada has grown exponentially since the implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP) to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA),” says the report entitled “Illicit Between the Ports (BTP) movements: April to September 2023.”
[…] The CBSA intelligence report sheds light on how foreign nationals from particular countries are crossing the border clandestinely from the U.S. into Canada.
It says “human smuggling services are extensive for clandestine entries” and that payments “for end to end services” range from $3,200 to $45,000. People crossing illegally use smuggling networks which vary in sophistication, it says, and the migrants using them are placed in vulnerable situations and often exploited. The routes used to smuggle people are “often very dangerous” and can result in “bodily harm and or death.”

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