Healthy Enough to Get In: The Evolution of Canadian Immigration Policy Related to Immigrant Health

The health of immigrants and visitors to Canada has always been a preoccupation of policy makers. From the earliest days of migration to Canada, immigrants were considered potential carriers of contagion and steps were taken to protect Canada, mainly through quarantine. Since the 1920s, the line of defence has been moved abroad, benefiting both Canada and the intending immigrant who no longer travels to Canada in fear of being medically rejected. Medical prohibitions were often arbitrary in the past, but since 1978, they have been based on solid principles and the implementation of these principles continues to evolve.