Canada promises opportunity, safety, and a better future—and supposedly, healthcare in Canada is something people can trust. But for many immigrant families, the journey is anything but simple. Navigating a new country often means sacrificing stability, status, and even health. For Marcia Stewart, uprooting her life in Jamaica to give her sons a brighter future in Canada led to years of uncertainty, legal limbo, and unimaginable loss. Despite doing everything right—attending school, working legally, paying taxes—her family fell through the cracks of a system that didn’t see them, until it was too late.

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John sits down with Marcia to explore healthcare in Canada and her deeply personal and painful journey through Canada’s immigration system. From navigating complex visa rules to discovering her son’s type one diabetes through the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care, Marcia recounts moments of resilience, heartbreak, and faith. Her story exposes the often invisible cost of Canada’s bureaucratic failures, where a missed payment, misunderstood rule, or denied permit can change a life forever.

Marcia’s story is a call to recognize the families holding this nation together—and to ensure that dignity and care are not reserved only for the privileged. Listen to understand the human impact of policy gaps, the role of grassroots healthcare providers, and the strength it takes to keep believing in a country after profound loss.

In 2024, Canada made headlines across the globe by announcing a significant shift in its immigration policy: a planned reduction of permanent residents from 500,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, with a further decline to 365,000 by 2026. This marks one of the most aggressive tightening of immigration quotas in recent years. It sparked anxiety among temporary foreign workers, refugee claimants, international students, and undocumented individuals already residing in the country, many of whom lack a clear pathway to legal status. As Canada's birth rate dwindles and its economic reliance on immigration increases, residents and policymakers are left with a fundamental question: can a country that depends on migrants afford to restrict their entry—or worse—ignore the ones already here?

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, Maggie John sits down with immigration consultant and paralegal Judi Simms and Dr. Paul Caulford, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care. Together, they explore the emotional and policy-driven landscape of Canada’s decision to reduce immigration targets, the legal and humanitarian challenges facing undocumented workers, and why ignoring this growing demographic will only deepen the nation’s economic and social fractures.

Whether you’re a policymaker, advocate, immigrant, or simply a concerned citizen, this episode is a powerful listen.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Thousands of undocumented migrants in Canada are without access to the basic rights many take for granted. Despite their critical contributions to the economy—often in dangerous, low-paying jobs—these individuals remain invisible in policy conversations and healthcare systems. Caught between fear of deportation and the need to survive, they endure chronic illness, discrimination, and exploitation in silence. The very act of seeking medical help can feel like a risk too great to take. Their lives are marked by resilience, but also by a relentless precarity that no human being should have to endure.

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, we hear the story of Marcus, an undocumented migrant who has lived in Canada since 2008, and Dr. Paul Caulford, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare. Marcus speaks candidly about the emotional cost of separation from his family, his struggles with diabetes, and the constant threat of being taken advantage of by employers. Dr. Caulford provides critical insight into the systemic failures that allow such suffering to persist—and the human rights responsibility Canada holds in providing care to all who call this country home. Together, they expose the deep disconnect between Canada’s public image of compassion and the lived experience of those it leaves behind.

Gain insight into the barriers to equitable care, the power of community-driven solutions, and the urgent need for systemic change. Dr. Caulford’s experiences will inspire you to rethink how Canada can better support its newcomers, ensuring compassion translates into action.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Canada’s response to the 2016 crisis of Syrian refugees revealed both the strength and fragility of its healthcare and resettlement systems. When thousands of families arrived, fleeing war and trauma, a Scarborough hotel transformed into a vital shelter, offering refuge but also exposing the complexities of providing equitable healthcare. From addressing deep-seated trauma to navigating cultural barriers and unmet medical needs, the challenges were immense.

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John engages with Dr. Paul Caulford, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare, to explore how this former hotel became a lifeline during one of Canada’s largest resettlement efforts. Dr. Caulford did a deep dive into the ongoing challenges of refugee shelters, from pest-infested living conditions to the housing crisis that traps families in limbo. It offers a sobering look at the intersection of healthcare and humanitarian efforts.

Gain insight into the barriers to equitable care, the power of community-driven solutions, and the urgent need for systemic change. Dr. Caulford’s experiences will inspire you to rethink how Canada can better support its newcomers, ensuring compassion translates into action.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Language barriers, employment obstacles, and immigration red tape are more than bureaucratic hurdles. They’re daily realities that shape the health and well-being of newcomers to Canada. Despite arriving with professional credentials, resilience, and hope, many immigrants and refugees find themselves navigating a system that wasn’t built with their challenges in mind. Access to essential services is often tied to one’s immigration status, language fluency, or ability to pay, leaving thousands in precarious situations. For undocumented individuals, even basic support becomes a maze of uncertainty, isolation, and fear. 

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John sits down with Liezl and Patria, two registered social workers at the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare, who bring both lived experiences and frontline insights to the conversation. Drawing from their own journeys as immigrants from the Philippines and their professional roles, they share how the Centre is helping clients not only access healthcare but also rebuild their lives with dignity. 

From bridging programs to employment counselling, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities, Liezl and Patria work to address the deep social needs that traditional healthcare systems often overlook. Their stories highlight how trust, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy can turn a clinic visit into the first step toward healing and belonging.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Canada’s healthcare system is celebrated for its universal access, yet for many refugees and asylum seekers, this promise remains out of reach. Newcomers often arrive with urgent health needs—chronic illnesses, injuries from conflict, or untreated conditions—only to face steep barriers. Without health insurance, many cannot afford care, while fear of deportation or distrust of authorities keeps them from seeking help. Some wait months for coverage, enduring pain or risking their lives. These gaps expose a harsh reality: for the most vulnerable, healthcare is often a privilege, not a right.

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John speaks with Liberty Andaya, Director of Operations at the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare. Liberty shares her journey from curiosity to commitment, sparked by encounters like helping an elderly woman with a life-threatening condition. The episode dives into the Centre’s holistic approach—offering community support through free medical care, hygiene kits, and social services—while highlighting the dedication of volunteers who make it possible.

Gain insight into the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, the power of community-driven care, and ways to support this vital work. Join Maggie and Liberty to explore how compassion can bridge gaps in Canada’s healthcare system, inspiring action and awareness.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Mass deportations, perilous border crossings, and the looming threat of tightened immigration policies cast a shadow over the lives of refugees and asylum seekers striving for safety in Canada. The journey to freedom is fraught with danger—frostbite, uncaring smugglers, and the fear of being sent back to violence or persecution. As global politics shift, particularly with the incoming Trump administration’s rhetoric on mass deportations, the stakes for these vulnerable populations are higher than ever. These challenges expose critical gaps in healthcare access and immigration systems, raising urgent questions about Canada’s role in protecting those fleeing harm.

In this episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John engages with Dr. Paul Caulford, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare, to explore the harrowing realities faced by refugees and asylum seekers. Dr. Caulford shares gripping stories ,like that of a mother and her children, scarred by violence and frostbite, who crossed into Canada seeking refuge.

The episode delves into the healthcare barriers these individuals face, the impact of policies like the Safe Third Country Agreement, and the vital role of interim federal health coverage. This episode is essential for advocates, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and anyone committed to understanding the intersection of immigration and health equity. Join us to be inspired, informed, and equipped to advocate for a more compassionate and equitable system.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Connect with us on social media: https://zaap.bio/healthequity

What does it mean to provide healthcare to those rejected by the system—a system that prides itself on universal access, no less? Why do some refugees and immigrants in Canada face staggering medical bills or outright denial of care? These questions cut to the heart of health equity, revealing gaps in a system that many assume is seamless. In a country celebrated for its compassion, the reality for newcomers—especially refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented individuals—can be shockingly different, where access to care is often a privilege, not a right.

In this first episode of Canadian Health Equity, host Maggie John sits down with Dr. Paul Caulford, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare, to uncover the origins of this vital organization as it marks 25 years of service. From a church basement inScarborough to a beacon of hope for thousands, Dr. Caulford shares the story of Aisha, a 17-year-old whose sickle cell crisis exposed a hidden crisis in Canada’s healthcare system.

This episode explores the social determinants of health, the resilience of marginalized communities, and the ongoing fight for equitable care. Dr. Caulford’s insights, drawn from decades on the front lines, challenge us to rethink what healthcare access truly means. This episode is for anyone passionate about social justice, healthcare equity, and the human stories behind policy gaps. Join us to learn how one clinic’s mission is reshaping lives and challenging Canada to live up to its promise of compassion.

---

This podcast was brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, located in Scarborough, Ontario. This series is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe, share and consider becoming a supporter by donating today: https://healthequity.kindful.com/

For more information on the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare, visit https://www.healthequity.ca

Connect with us on social media: https://zaap.bio/healthequity

Get ready for Canadian Health Equity – a podcast covering The Hard Truths About Healthcare for Refugees.

A woman is at your door... she barely speaks English, but you can tell she’s hungry and in pain. She's also very... pregnant. What do you do?

This happens all the time at the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care in Toronto. And for 25 years, they've welcomed her in.

The Centre is run by volunteer doctors, nurses and community members who provide free healthcare to newcomers who find it difficult – and often impossible – to get the medical treatment they need.

Hosted by Maggie John, a seasoned journalist with a passion for stories about justice and equity, we'll dive into stories from The Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care, which has helped thousands of people who have suffered war, persecution, torture, trafficking and kidnapping.

These are people who have been promised a better life in Canada. But now, here they are on our doorstep, looking for some help... and some hope.

This podcast will celebrate the heroic stories of the Centre and the refugees that have come through its doors. Plus, it will shed light on Canada's mismanagement of healthcare for refugees and the gaps in the system.

The first episode is coming soon. Be sure to hit that follow button so you don't miss it.

Canadian Health Equity is brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant Healthcare and is produced by Lead Podcasting in partnership with Change Made Studios.