Open letter to the BC government: End the 3-month wait for MSP for immigrants to receive health care

Open letter to the BC government: End the 3-month wait for MSP for immigrants to receive health care

On the eve of International Migrants Day, research suggests the need for BC government to provide health insurance for all, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 17, 2021 On the eve of International Migrants Day, the Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity at the University of British Columbia, along with community partner Sanctuary Health, sent an open letter to the BC government sharing our new research highlighting the need for the immediate repeal of a policy that forces immigrants to BC to wait three months for health insurance. The research, affirming longstanding community concerns, confirms the urgent need for this policy to be amended or repealed immediately. The open letter follows on the heels of a petition urging the government to abolish the policy, signed by almost 400 individuals and groups. The…

BC’s three-month wait period for health care violates the spirit of the Canada Health Act

Exclusion from health coverage harms im/migrant women and families: Study FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 British Columbia’s mandatory three-month wait period for health coverage for new residents to the province has a disproportionate and debilitating impact on racialized im/migrant women, according to a new study by researchers at the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal BMJ Open, draws on interviews with women who were im/migrants to British Columbia, as well as service providers employed in the health, social or legal sectors with im/migrant women. The findings expose serious inequities in Canada’s health care system that endanger the health and wellbeing of im/migrant women in BC. “Mandatory wait periods for health coverage add to inequity and stigma, and increase negative health and…

Dr. Brittany Bingham announced inaugural Director of Indigenous Research of the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2020 The Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE) is excited to announce the launch of a new Director of Indigenous Research role. Dr. Brittany Bingham, who is of mixed ancestry and a proud member of the ShĂ­shĂĄlh nation, has worked in various capacities of research and policy with Indigenous communities for over 15 years and will assume the inaugural role of Director of Indigenous Research this month. “Indigenous women’s roles in communities were dismantled by colonialism, and returning to a focus on women’s leadership roles is key to decolonizing and reconciliation efforts.” says Dr. Bingham, who hopes to centre all of her work around the importance of elevating Indigenous community voices in research and keeping these perspectives central to findings and interpretations. She hopes her future research and work contribute to system-wide transformational…

Canadian conversion therapy survivors call for actions: Report

Eliminating conversion therapy in Canada will require a multi-part strategy, including support for survivors, legislative action (such as bans), institutional change, and clear communications, according to a new report from a dialogue in Vancouver, organized by conversion therapy survivors, community leaders, researchers, and allies.