A video posted on a social media platform by a Canadian man about ‘birth tourism’ – where Indian pregnant women supposedly fly to Canada to deliver their babies, making them Canadian citizens – has stirred an online debate.

In the video, the man claimed that a nurse at a hospital told him that “the maternity ward is always full of foreign, Indian women that fly to Canada to have their baby”.

He further goes on to say, “Canada doesn’t turn anybody away in our health care system. So what they do is they show up when they’re in labour, to a hospital, and the hospital takes them in and helps them deliver the baby.”

The video further alleges that these women fly back to India after delivering the baby, and when those children grow up, they come to Canada as they are Canadian citizens and sponsor their relatives.

“They take their baby, fly back to India, and when the baby grows up, they come over to Canada as an adult. And then they sponsor their parents to come over, and all their siblings and whoever else can be sponsored to come over to be with them, because they are Canadian citizens now,” he added.

Not only that, the man, named Chad Eros on X, alleged that since Indian women do not have Canadian healthcare, they would get a bill for the birth, which they might not be paying.

“Do you think that bill's getting paid, or do you think they just jump on the plane, fly back to India and don't pay the bill? I'm willing to bet that they don’t,” he says in the video.

- Pregnant Indian Women Flying To Canada For Free Births and Canadian Citizen Babies at Tax Payer Expense
- Tonight my niece had a baby making my sister a grand parent before me. Congrats!
- The nurse told my niece that the maternity ward is full of Indian women flying to Canada… pic.twitter.com/Vfbk07AVRz

— Chad Eros (@RealChadEros) November 13, 2024

The video has sparked online outrage, with divided opinions from both sides. While some said that this has been an old practice and not limited only to Indian women, while some called the video ‘anecdotal’, asking for numbers from the man.

“Been happening in the lower mainland for years.  Birth “hotels” in Richmond for pregnant Chinese women coming here,” replied an X user to the video.

“Allowing these scams to happen is exactly what causes prejudice,” said another.

An Indian user also chipped in, saying, “While hearing this looks odd and being an Indian citizen but I somehow agree. This is what the practice is getting followed from last many years and it’s not about India I believe most asian countries.”

Another Indian shared his story, “My wife & I flew back to India to have our first child 29 years ago.  She was in Toronto until her 8th month, then flew back to her mum in Bengaluru. But you’re right - these Visa babies are a phenomenon. I’ve heard of many.”

There were also supporting voices, as one user stated that it shouldn’t be an issue as long as they have money to pay for their healthcare.

“Our tax dollars don’t seem to be enough revenue for the hospitals to run smoothly. I’ve had 6 kids and have never seen a ‘full’ maternity ward. If there is room to make revenue, great. When the kid grows up I’m sure they would pay their way and become a tax payer here. Otherwise, they won’t be able to sponsor anyone,” they said.

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