Health Care Experiences of Stateless People in Canada

Statelessness in Canada is an emerging site of inquiry with recent investigations into its causes and consequences, focusing on legislative and policy analyses and the lived experiences of stateless persons. Yet, health care experiences generally and access to mental and physical health care in particular remain under-researched. This study attempts to bridge this gap by examining how statelessness impacts physical health, mental health, access to health care services, and overall well-being. To answer these questions, we conducted semi-structured interviews with stateless or formerly stateless persons to understand their views and experiences. The study reports on negative health outcomes in four broad areas: The limited ability of stateless persons (SPs) to access health care. Mental health challenges. The failure to treat health issues until they have reached a dangerous point and the reliance on self-care strategies. The negative impact of lack of status on four social determinants of health: employment, education, housing, and food security. From these findings, the paper makes three arguments: Legal Status is a key determinant of health and lack of status leads to negative health outcomes. SPs heavily depend upon others for their life-needs, which can lead to exploitation and encourage forms of adaptive and negotiated agency. SPs in Canada experience a physical and mental liminality [a condition of uncertainty]. The paper concludes that Canada should recognize stateless individuals either as stateless or as Canadian nationals, and should implement a context-tailored institutional response to statelessness.