Well Enough to Work? Examining the Mental Health Outcomes of Precarious and Non- Status Migrants who are Precariously Employed in Canada

Migrants living in precarity face many barriers when navigating Canada’s complex immigration system, with many losing their status through the process. Scholars have identified poor mental health outcomes of precarious and non-status migrants in Canada, but studies are scant and focus largely on fears of deportation, lack of access to health services, social exclusion, and detention. Missing from the research is how precarious employment, which precarious and non-status migrants are overrepresented in, also effects the wellbeing of these individuals. To address this gap in research, this paper explores both media coverage of this population and city council minutes from across Canada. A comparison of both reveals that there is rarely a focus on the mental health outcomes of precarious and non-status migrants, and even less discussions on employment conditions as a contributing factor. Future research is necessary to develop a better understanding of the mental health issues faced by precarious and non-status migrants. Moreover, the narrative of precarious and non-status migrants in the media and during city council meetings must focus on these individuals’ mental health if we are to improve their conditions.