A viral video by Canadian X user Chad Eros sparked debate by claiming pregnant Indian women are crowding Canadian hospitals to secure citizenship for their babies. He alleged, “Pregnant Indian Women Flying To Canada For Free Births and Canadian Citizen Babies at Tax Payer Expense,” and shared his sister’s experience at a clinic. However, Eros later clarified that Indians aren’t the only ones engaging in birth tourism.
What Is Birth Tourism?
Birth tourism refers to women traveling to Canada to give birth, ensuring their children gain citizenship under the jus soli principle (citizenship by birth). Critics argue it strains Canada’s healthcare system and provides foreigners with long-term benefits at taxpayer expense. Costs for such arrangements, often facilitated by “birth hotels,” can exceed $30,000.
Trends Before and After the Pandemic
Before COVID-19, Chinese nationals dominated birth tourism in Canada. Richmond, near Vancouver, saw non-resident mothers account for 20% of births at local hospitals. However, pandemic travel restrictions curbed these numbers.
Post-pandemic, Nigerian women became the largest group of birth tourists, contributing 24.5% of non-residential births, followed by visitors from the Middle East and China. In 2023, non-residential births rose to 3,575 across Canada.
Do Indians Lead Birth Tourism?
Despite Eros’s claims, there’s no evidence that Indians significantly contribute to birth tourism. Andrew Griffith, former Citizenship and Multiculturalism Director, notes declining non-resident births in British Columbia, a hub for Indian immigrants, disproving such notions. Most cases involve Chinese, Nigerian, and Middle Eastern nationals.
Resentment and Calls for Action
Canadian citizens increasingly call for reforms. A Richmond poll revealed 64% support restrictions on birth tourism, while 60% advocate changing citizenship laws. Obstetrician Dr. Colin Birch told CBC, “We need to address it. We need to decide how we’re going to approach this.”
While India remains uninvolved in driving birth tourism, the broader issue continues to divide Canadians and challenge policies under the Trudeau government.