Barriers and Solutions to Healthcare Access for Immigrants in Canada

Canada has higher rates of immigration than many high-income countries. Provinces' health systems have been slow to adapt new policies and practices to accommodate the newcomers. New immigrants are left to "shoehorn" themselves into health systems that were not designed for their languages, culture or preferences for care. For immigrants, language barriers impede communication, undermine the clinician-patient relationship and discourage healthcare-seeking behaviours. New policies are needed to break down barriers, so provinces' health systems do not exacerbate health inequalities.