Canadian Medical Association Journal: Mental Health

Cecile Rousseau Dept: In a commentary piece published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday, authors Janet Cleveland and Cecile Rousseau say Bill C-31, which became law on June 28, "could potentially have a serious negative impact on the mental health of refugees.", according to CBC. Children could be seriously affected by the detention process, the study's authors say. Children aged 16 to 18 would be incarcerated as if they were adults, and children under 16 will either be taken away from their parents and put in foster care or kept with their mothers and separated from their fathers and detaining refugee claimants deemed "irregular arrivals" for long periods of time could harm their mental health, according to an article published Monday. The new law made amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Balanced Refugee Reform Act, including allowing Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to designate groups of refugees who have come to Canada as "irregular arrivals." The designation can be given to anyone over the age of 16 and they can be detained until the minister orders their release or a determination is made to allow their refugee claim to proceed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.