Removals

that the CCR calls for:

1. The immediate suspension of the enforcement of a removal order against any foreign national who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency or foster family, or in kinship care.
2. An expedited pathway to permanent resident status through a public policy under s. 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for any foreign national in Canada who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care.
3. An expedited Temporary Resident Permit and accompanying work or study permit and for the waiving of any associated fees, for any foreign national in Canada who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care, where permanent resident status cannot immediately be granted.
4. An amendment to the Citizenship Act to recognize as a citizen any foreign national who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care.

that the CCR, in addition to other previously adopted recommendations:

1. Call on the Department to:
   • Establish accountability mechanisms, including civilian oversight or an ombudsman, for the Enforcement Branch of the Immigration Department;
   • Protect the deportee's identity vis-a-vis the country to which they are being deported;
   • Respect the principle of family unity by ordering that removals never be effected when the removal would lead to family separation;
2. Endorse the following recommendations of the assessment of the CIC-RCMP task force, dated May 25, 1995:
   • that the Department develop a Code of Conduct and Discipline for investigators;
   • that the Department undertake a pro-active recruiting campaign to attract women and visible minorities to the enforcement function;
   • that the Department design and implement a community based approach to the issue of illegal immigration;
   • that all persons employed in the enforcement function receive cross cultural training.

That the CCR call on the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to implement the recommendation of the Tassé Report for greater accountability through:

1. adoption of an effective code of ethics.
2. training on ethical principles and standards for staff by persons qualified to deal effectively with these issues.
3. setting up an independent complaints procedure.
4. setting up a review mechanism to ensure continuing compliance with international standards.

That the CCR:

1. Urgently request the Prime Minister of Canada to address this inconsistency in Canadian policy by ordering an immediate suspension of deportations to Zaire.
2. Request a clarification from the UNHCR on the dangers of deporting people to Zaire at this time.

That the CCR:

1. Continue to energetically oppose, by all means possible, the implementation of this policy;
2. Prepare a letter and information kit which CCR members can use to lobby their M.P.s, and to mobilize support from other organizations involved in human rights work.

That the CCR:

1. Write to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to:
   a) Condemn the use of P&I for removal of deportees;
   b) Demand to know the legal basis for using P&I;
2. Demand that the Minister confirm in writing that the practice of using private agents for removals will cease;
3. Continue to investigate P&I and Citizenship and Immigration Canada's contracting out of removals;
4. Investigate all possible human rights violations, possible complaints and legal challenges to such practices.

That the CCR call upon the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to develop guidelines for his officers to ensure that the best interests of children affected by a deportation decision are given "primary consideration" as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and that, for greater certainty, on public policy grounds, there is a presumption that deportation of the parent of a minor child in Canada would not be in the child's best interest.