So how compassionate are you? Canadians like to think of ourselves as being compassionate, caring people. But can we be TOO compassionate?
No? Well, speaking honestly, how much more would you really be willing to pay in higher taxes to provide permanent residency AND free medical care for dozens, hundreds or even more mentally ill people from other countries, where … because of cultural backwardness … they just don’t get proper help, by our standards?
Well, that’s a real possibility Canada could face once word gets around about the case of Mi Sook Oh of South Korea.
Oh, 42, a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, has been granted refugee status in Canada (along with her daughter) because the Immigration and Refugee Board ruled treatment of psychiatric patients in South Korea is so inadequate, it constitutes a form of persecution.
That’s South Korea… not North Korea.
The board made its ruling in October; the federal government appealed; and the Federal Court has now ruled in her favour. She can stay and WE will take care of her … for the rest of her life.
Of course, we are a compassionate people. But remember such rulings set precedents!
The decision clearly sends a message that anyone with a family member suffering serious mental illness in any of dozens of countries where treatment of the mentally ill is well below our standards …. just bring them here (as a tourist) … and then claim refugee status.
The precedent HAS been set. And ironically, the sicker they are, the more they qualify to stay, live and get free medical care in Canada.
How many hundreds can we expect from South Korea alone once the word gets around? And what about other countries of Asia, the Mideast or Africa where the mentally ill are hardly given any treatment at all?
In some of those countries, it is not even a matter of cost, but a lack of cultural sensitivity and willingness to address their own problems in this regard.
So the door is now open to Canada for a new kind of refugee: mental patients. With this Federal Court ruling, we can no longer send home any similarly ill people from other “backward” states … like South Korea .. if they claim refugee status and show they are disriminated against or mistreated back home.
And why just those with mental illnesses? What about the lepers or AIDs sufferers who face terrible discrimination in some countries. Do we take them all in as “refugees” as well?
The potential impact of this latest ruling on our own health care system … already stretched very thin in the treatment of people with psychological problems … could be devastating. Not to mention the $$$ cost.
We are a compassionate people. BUT I don’t believe it is our role to just open the door as “refugees” to seriously ill people (mental or otherwise) just because we feel treatment in their own land amounts to neglect.
It may sound harsh .. but even in terms of understanding and compassion, there is a limit to what Canada can do. And the Oh precedent exceeds that limit.
The federal government should appeal the Oh decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Harv Oberfeld
8 responses so far ↓
1 Dan // Jun 23, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Hmmm,
Has anyone looked under the bridges or in the alleys around Vancouver to see first hand how we really look after our mentally ill people???
(Response: Very good point. We lack enough resources to deal with our mentally ill ..and now the court has ordered us to take care of those who can get here from overseas countries that don’t even care enough to try. Ridiculous! h.o.)
2 Dan // Jun 23, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Has anyone looked under the bridges or in the alleys around Vancouver to see first hand how we really look after our mentally ill people???
3 genuine // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Get with it Harvey what’s your take on the lost (deleted ) e mails ?
(Response: The story by Mark Hume in the Globe about erased provincial government e-mails does not surprise me But I’m sure so many other commentators will write and blog about that one .. and they should. Watch/listen to Vaugh, Smyth/Tielmann etc If they don’t, I promise I will. But in my blog I always try to focus on matters less well covered in other media, but which are equally and sometimes even more important long term to our society. h.o.)
4 genuine // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Harvey all other common taters ,pale in comparison to your views and knowledge of how things work ,I’m truly a fan of your writing skills and honest and objective reporting.I know your retired and don’t want to push you to hard but you are truly missed and in my heart you have won not only a Webster award but a we miss Harvey award ‘we are glad to even have you on a part time basis! THANK YOU!
(Response: First, everyone should know we are NOT related!
But I really appreciate your comments … I too am sometimes so very frustrated at what I now see as passing for reporting …and , when it comes to political reporting, apart from Vaughn and Smyth, ..well, don’t get me started! Let’s give the MSM a day or two ..and if they let it drop (couldn’t possibly!!!) I’ll pick it up here. It is an issue that should be followed. Promise. h.o)
5 Dave W // Jun 24, 2009 at 2:33 am
I hear what you’re saying Harv. We can’t possibly save the world. But I’ve always wondered how many situations like this occur because of laws and lawyers. We hear similar stories about First Nations too.
I’d love to know what percentage of the $$$$ we spend saving the world actually goes to the world and how much goes to lawyers and other well-off Canadian citizens.
Don’t stop Harv
(Response: Don’t get me going on First Nations negots … I have always felt the ones who have benefited most from everything we’ve seen so far have been the lawyers, the bureacrats, the chiefs/negotiators and their cronies who all seem to cash in best through all the talking. h.o.)
6 blaffergassted // Jun 24, 2009 at 6:41 am
And you think pointing out the obvious will make the world a better place?
(Response: The worst thing to do is just stay silent … and then wonder why our health system keeps eroding even though are spending keeps going up. Anyone who has been to a hospital in Canada in recent years must wonder how many there are who, in mid to late stages of life, brought their health problems from other countries for us to care for at huge cost. h.o. )
7 A. G. Tsakumis // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
It seems that when anyone in China, Pakistan or almost any other country applies for a hand-out, they are shown a map of Canada.
8 genuine // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:41 pm
that was a good thought,why should we let middle aged sick people in .I’m not saying no immigration but someone who has been paying tens of thousands a year for the right to have these services has to wait in line with the people who haven’t contributed a dime ? I don’t get it someone also mentioned user pay?I’ve been paying for years and I have a right to use but when I need it it’s not there go figure eh?
Leave a Comment
CAPTCHA Code is needed.