Rolling back refugee protection in Canada

Bill C-31 - Rolling Back Refugee Protection: At what cost?

On 16 February 2012, the government issued Bill C-31 to reform Canada’s refugee determination system.

The Canadian Council for Refugees is seriously concerned that the bill would create a two-tier system of refugee protection in Canada. It makes refugee protection in Canada dangerously vulnerable to political whims, rather than ensuring a fair and independent decision about who is a refugee. It also includes costly measures to detain refugee claimants.

Bill C-31 must be withdrawn and replaced with legislation which is fair, affordable, and independent, and which complies with the Charter and Canada’s international obligations.

Join the CCR in calling for Bill C-31 to be withdrawn or defeated. Help to raise awareness of these costly government proposals: for refugees and for Canadian taxpayers.

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionSend to friendSend to friend

No to Bill C-31Comments on amendments to Bill C-31, 16 May 2012

Bill C-31 - Diminishing Refugee Protection: Submission to Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, 25 April 2012

Protecting Refugees from Bill C-31: Joint statement (Does your organization endorse this statement?)

Notable quotes on Bill C-31

Why Bill C-31 must be withdrawn, one-page summary

Myths and Facts on Bill C-31, 21 March 2012

Bill C-31 Rolls Back Refugee Protection: What you can do, (powerpoint) 1 March 2012

Media release, New bill further undermines refugees, 16 February 2012

Video: Understanding Bill C-31 and Children in Detention

Bill C-31 (text)

Myths and Facts 2011, February 2011

Refugee Reform: Weighing The Proposals, booklet, 19 April 2010

What’s in a number? The Hungarian claims, blog entry, 24 April 2010

Lives in the Balance, booklet, May 2009

RESOURCES from other organizations:

Amnesty International Canada, Government's Refugee 'Reform' Bill no longer Balanced, 16 February 2012

Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, New Legislation Targets Canadian Permanent Residents, 17 February 2012

Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) Responds to New Refugee Legislation, Bill C-31, 16 February 2012

Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), Don't Punish Victims - Stop the Anti-refugee Bill

Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), Despite Strong, Reasonable Opposition, Government Proceeds with Anti-Refugee Bill, 16 February 2012

Other useful resources:

Letter on C-4 from Australian NGOs (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Refugee Council of Australia, International Detention Coalition, Human Rights Law Centre, Brigidine’s Asylum Seeker Project, Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre) 

Rachel Kronick et al, Mandatory detention of refugee children in Canada: A public health issue?, Paediatrics and Child Health, October 2011

Centre for Refugee Studies, Video stream of panel discussing Bill C-49, 12 November 2010