Y.Y. Brandon Chen

Warm congratulations as well to Profs Michael Pal and Amy Salyzyn on their appointments. I’m honoured to be in such inspiring company.

I’m deeply grateful to be named one of the inaugural Dean’s Research Professorships at @uocommonlaw.bsky.social. I look forward to using this opportunity to deepen and expand my work on migrant health equity.

Three new Dean’s Research Professorships are advancing bold work on migrant health equity, the law of democracy, and technology’s impact on justice. See how our researchers are shaping a democratic, digital and diverse future.

bit.ly/4kTSox5
@yybrandonc.bsky.social @amysalyzyn.bsky.social

Medical Inadmissibility, Disability Rights, and Migrant Health Event

Join @ottawahealthlaw.ca @hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social on March 12 11:30–13:00 for a free webinar "Bordering Health: Medical Inadmissibility, Disability Rights, and Migrant Health" as we discuss the past, present and future of Canada's "excessive demand" policy. www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/borde...

As I explained, Alberta’s claim that private insurance fills the gap is unconvincing. Private insurance is not a replacement for public health care. It often doesn’t cover routine or preventative care or pregnancy-related costs, leaving workers exposed to serious health & financial risks. 2/2

Calgary - CBC News Stay on top of Calgary with the latest in news, weather, events and interviews.

Health care cuts carry real human costs, and making them quietly only worsens the harm by denying people the opportunity to prepare. I spoke with CBC News about Alberta’s recent decision to remove health coverage for International Experience Canada work permit holders. 1/2
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

4 things you need to know about health care in the federal budget Cuts, broken promises, and missed opportunities for health care in Carney's first budget

Budget 2025 demonstrates a weak commitment to expanding and improving public health care and little vision to end the crisis facing millions of Canadians who can't access the care they need.

Here are 4 things you need to know:

Taken together with Bills C-2 and C-12, this policy signals yet another setback to Canada’s commitment, and legal responsibility, to uphold refugee rights.

Decades of research show that even small copayments can significantly impede access to care, especially for people with limited income. This proposed change will therefore likely have serious consequences for refugees’ and refugee claimants’ health and wellbeing.

Canada’s #Budget2025 includes plans to “introduce a modest co-payment model” to the Interim Federal Health Program for “supplemental health products or services (such as prescription medication and dental care).” In plain terms, this means cutting healthcare benefits for refugees and asylum seekers.

Reframing Mental Health Law – Emerging Controversies and Cross-Sector Perspectives Conference @University of Ottawa October 2/3, 2025

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/...

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...

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:

Hearty congratulations on this milestone!! You rock.

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. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

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....

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.

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.

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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...

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!

You are too kind, Roojin!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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/...

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.