Immigration Glossary
There are currently 4 names in this directory beginning with the letter H.
Health card
A document that allows a person to receive public health care in a Canadian province or territory. Newcomers can apply for a health card when they arrive in Canada.
Health insurance
A Canadian provincial or territorial government program that pays for essential health services provided by doctors, hospitals and certain non-physician practitioners. Newcomers must apply to their provincial or territorial health insurance plan to get coverage and a health card.
High commission
A Government of Canada office, is the same as an embassy, but is located in the capital city of a Commonwealth country.
Example: High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom in London
Humanitarian and compassionate application (H & C)
People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada may be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate (H & C) grounds.
(H & C) grounds apply to people with exceptional cases. Factors that are looked at include:
· how settled the person is in Canada,
· general family ties to Canada,
· the best interests of any children involved, and
· the degree of hardship that the applicant would experience if the request is not granted and they must leave Canada in order to apply for permanent residence.
(H & C) decision makers will not look at the risk factors that are looked at in an in-Canada refugee protection claim or a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). These factors which are outside the scope of an (H & C) application include persecution, danger of torture or risk to life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.