Canada’s open-door policy doesn’t come with a wheelchair ramp

What a horrible week this has been. The unspeakable has happened, right here in what is supposed to be the land of the free. Donald Trump has banned the Muslims. Even worse, millions of Americans are somehow okay with the fact that we live in a world in which people from Yemen won’t be able to travel to the United States for 12 calendar-weeks. Looks like Coachella’s issuing some refunds this year.

But thank God for Canada’s favorite cardboard cutout, Justin Trudeau; soon after the executive order was signed, Trudeau tore straight through the ugly American hate with this heartwarming signal of virtue:

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

This is some truly inspiring stuff – Canada welcomes all refugees without discrimination! What a wonderful example for Americans to aspire to. If only we could let go of our antiquated ways and become as civilized as our neighbors to the north.

Except Justin Trudeau is a horrendous hypocrite. Why?

Because Canada actively discriminates against disabled immigrants.

This is neither a joke nor hyperbole; here’s the written law on the matter from Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act:

38 (1) A foreign national is inadmissible on health grounds if their health condition

(a) is likely to be a danger to public health;

(b) is likely to be a danger to public safety; or

(c) might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services.

The statute is commonly interpreted to bar the immigration of families with disabled children. According to Canadian disability-rights lawyer David Baker, folks with disabled children are “probably going to have a hard time coming to Canada without a large bank account or a high profile.” Here are some well-publicized stories documenting the experiences of families denied residency for this very reason:

Costa Rican Family Denied Permanent Residency Because Of Son’s Down Syndrome

Canada denied this Filipina immigrant residency because her daughter is deaf

How do they justify this? Well, Canada has a comprehensive public healthcare scheme, and Canadian officials reckon that it’s not worth admitting individuals who place an “excessive” burden on the public medical system, i.e. disabled people are too costly to care for. Is this wrong? I don’t know. Is it right? Not today’s discussion. I’m just here to highlight a massive double-standard: when Americans don’t want to bear the financial costs of refugees or immigrants, we’re considered everything-ist deplorables. When Canadians do it – well they’re so progressive and European and environmentally conscious!

What’s worse: Trump’s crippling sanctions on Mexico, or Canada’s sanctions on crippled Mexicans?

But imagine if Donald Trump tried to do something like this. In a parallel universe, Trump announces a new executive order: “We’re gonna make it difficult for disabled people to come over here since they would be an excessive burden on our economy.”

Envision the sanctimonious tsunami of outrage that would ensue. The grievance-vultures mobilize in every city, salivating at the opportunity to capitalize on another American cultural crisis; thousands line up on the streets to voice their disgust for the red half of the country; endless NPR interviews with the helpless victims of Donald Trump’s newest draconian policy; Chuck Schumer dies of heartbreak before our very eyes on live national television.

Trump v. Trudeau: Who hates disabled people more?

And, of course, what kind of mass demonstration of condemnation would it be without Justin Trudeau butting in with some vacuous feel-good tweet? All jokes aside, I don’t think that Trudeau is a bad guy, and he obviously has no ill will toward disabled people. He likely doesn’t reach the levels of neural activity necessary to process concepts like hypocrisy, irony, or, ironically, Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Nonethless, he is a massive tool, and should keep his self-righteous drivel to himself.

But the kids love Trudeau, and that’s what it boils down to. The backlash over Trump’s travel ban has little to do with the substance of the policy, and even less to do with a concern for human rights. It’s all about finding a reason to be indignant, and Trump is a dream come true for the world’s outrage-hobbyists.

Canada’s Statue of Gliberty

“Give me your tired*, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

*Those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome due to fibromyalgia need not apply

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