A centralized place for all the information you'll need during the event!
(Information subject to changes and will be updated as new details become available)
Logistics
- Full program
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List of preliminary workshops (will be updated as new details become available)
Nafeer: Root Causes of Displacement in Sudan
This workshop will provide an overview of the conflict currently happening in Sudan. Speakers will talk about the main causes of displacement and the biggest challenges to creating lasting peace in the region, including Canadian complicity, as well as options for solidarity and support to Sudanese people in Canada.
Erased and Silenced: Confronting Anti-Palestinian Racism in Canada’s Refugee and Settlement Systems
Anti-Palestinian racism is a distinct form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, stereotypes, defames, or dehumanizes Palestinians and their narratives. This session will explore how anti-Palestinian racism manifests within Canada's immigration policies, settlement systems, and the post-arrival experiences of Palestinian refugees. It will also examine the challenges faced by individuals in the refugee-serving sector who advocate for Palestinian rights, including the professional and personal repercussions they encounter. The session will examine these issues and strategize ways to challenge and dismantle anti-Palestinian racism within institutions and communities.
Breaking Down Silos: Enhancing Collaboration Across Sectors
It is inspiring to see collaboration and coalitions building that responds to a need in new ways. We often struggle to build coalitions when situations arise that require cooperation, partly because we often don’t see beyond our own context and the specific roles we play in providing durable solutions for refugees. This workshop will look at examples of coalitions that came together to solve a problem, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them.
Technology and Surveillance in Migration: Risks and Opportunities
This workshop will help CCR members consider how to approach the use of digital technology in migration, exploring both the risks and opportunities that technology poses to migrants and service providers. We will discuss advances in surveillance technology and strategies to ensure digital safety for migrants and for those who support them. We will also look at how technology can be leveraged to advance access to justice for migrants.
Post-Refusal Pathways: Exploring Post-Claim Recourses and Humanitarian Pathways to Permanent Residency
What happens when an asylum claim is refused — and how can we effectively support migrants in vulnerable situations?
This workshop will explore the legal and procedural options available to individuals whose claims have been denied, including Pre-Removal Risk Assessments (PRRA), appeals, and requests for deferrals or stays of removal. We will also examine the challenges and potential of applying for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds. Through this session, participants will gain practical insights into post-refusal strategies and the tools needed to navigate this complex stage of the immigration process.
Challenging the Safe Third Country Agreement: Rethinking Advocacy and Mobilization
Rooted in a participatory approach, this workshop aims to reinvigorate mobilization against the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). We will begin with an update on the ongoing legal challenges to the STCA, while examining the on-the-ground impacts of its current enforcement and its exceptions at the border. Next, we will explore a successful case of climate justice litigation that may inspire and inform our advocacy strategies against the STCA. We will close with a collective reflection on the lessons learned and gains achieved from this mobilization, and how they can fuel our own.
How to Support People who Lose Status
The sector has no strategy to inform many who are at risk of losing status, like precarious migrants, international students, temporary workers, over the next few years. This workshop will explore themes of access to essential and basic supports and services for people without status, as well as themes of resistance as communities mobilize to invoke their rights to live in a just and equitable society. Speakers will share their expertise on how they support people to address daily challenges of living without status and discuss current mobilization campaigns for open work permit and status regularization.
Building Common Ground: Newcomers, Refugees, and Indigenous Communities in Dialogue
Rooted in the Spirit of Indigenous Sharing Circles, this workshop will offer a reflective and practical space to explore how organizations can work meaningfully with Indigenous communities to advance Truth and Reconciliation. Drawing inspiration from Indigenous knowledge systems and community-led approaches, the session will highlight concrete examples of collaboration from across the (re)settlement sectors. This session invites participants into a shared learning journey, encouraging honest reflection, dialogue, and a deepened commitment to working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
Setting Up ‘Sanctuary for Scholars’ Programs across Canada
The right to education is crucial to the well-being of individuals and our communities. No one should be left out. Sanctuary Scholars programs, such as those at Toronto Metropolitan University and York University, offer post-secondary access to education for those with precarious status. This workshop will discuss the requirements and logistics needed to establish such programs and will explore how to replicate this across different provinces.
Resisting Erasure: LGBTQIA+ Rights, Border Bills, and the Fight for Free Movement
This workshop critically examines Bill C-2 and the broader rhetoric of border security and militarization in Canada and globally. It highlights the specific barriers and dangers these create for LGBTQIA+ populations, especially migrants and refugees. The session will explore how such agendas criminalize mobility and erase the rights of those seeking safety. Through collective discussion, participants will unpack the legal, political, and social dimensions of these threats. The workshop will also focus on community-based, legal and policy strategies to fight back against the systemic erasure of LGBTQIA+ rights and challenge the criminalization of queer and trans migration.
Building Federal – Provincial Cooperation to Address the Needs and Rights of Refugee Claimants
Federal-provincial coordination is key for improving access to shelter and services for refugee claimants. With support from the new federal investments in the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP), Manitoba has been providing leadership in expanding interim housing as well as opening wrap around services to claimants under certain conditions. The workshop will engage IRCC officials and the recently established Asylum Claimant Unit in the Manitoba government to discuss opportunities and needs for improved federal – provincial collaboration, drawing on the experience in Manitoba to offer insights for other provinces.
Reframing the Migration Narrative
This workshop will provide an overview and hands-on training opportunity for engaging in CCR’s messaging campaign to expand public support for newcomers and refugees. Kathryn LeBlanc, from LeBlanc (& co.) Communications, will lead this workshop, enabling participants to engage with our new messaging and apply it to different issue areas and campaign asks for refugee and migrant rights.
Wellness Workshop for Consultation Participants
A workshop that will offer a facilitated space and resources to support the health and wellness of participants during the Consultation, including practices attendees can carry forward into their lives.
Beyond the Bill: Youth Allyship Against Anti-Migrant Laws
Bill C-2 is more than just a law — it represents a development of the anti-immigration sentiment in Canada and dictates who gets to feel safe, heard, and protected in Canada. From stricter immigration rules to expanded surveillance powers, Bill C-2 could reshape the future for refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, and racialized communities. Youth are directly impacted — as migrants navigating uncertain status, as asylum seekers, and as digital citizens whose privacy and mobility are at risk. This workshop will discuss what Bill C-2 and the new government approach mean for young migrants, who it impacts the most, and how we can respond through advocacy and allyship.
Ripple Effects: How U.S. Political Changes Influence Canada’s Asylum and Resettlement Landscape
This workshop will explore the multiple impacts of rapid changes in US migration policies and programs under the Trump Administration both on the global refugee system and for our resettlement and settlement work in Canada. The workshop will also consider strategies for how we can address these issues collectively in the short and longer term.
Beyond the Broken System: Reimagining Protection Pathways in Canada
Notions of a ‘broken immigration system’ are prevalent in conversations around refugee protection in Canada. This workshop explores how we can move beyond critique to co-create equitable and time-efficient models of asylum access. This workshop will begin with a panel of experts highlighting the triumphs and downfalls of existing complementary pathways and exploring new safe pathways to asylum that can be created to address the realities of today’s political context. The workshop will end with breakout groups where participants will complete worksheets to imagine safer asylum-seeking pathways that newcomers deserve.
- Sponsorship packages
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Sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 2025 CCR Consultation: Better Neighbours: Building the Communities We Need. We’re excited to offer tailored sponsorship packages for both CCR members and non-members, giving you the chance to showcase your support for refugee and migrant rights while connecting with a national audience.
Sponsorship package - CCR members Sponsorship package - External Allies - Information about the Hotel
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The CCR has blocked rooms for attendees at the Alt Hotel Winnipeg
We strongly encourage folks to stay at this hotel because our funding from the City of Winnipeg depends on whether or not we booked enough rooms.
Rates
Exclusive rate until Friday, October 31, 2025
Please note that room availability and rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.
- Standard Double or Two Queen: $179.00 / night plus taxes
Attendees need to use the dedicated link to book their room: Book your room
Alt Canada Inc is committed to complying with the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. ALT policies, practices and measures reflect the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. ALT currently have 2 accessible rooms at the hotel.
The information about parking will be made available soon.
Alt Hotel Winnipeg is a 15-minute drive from Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. The average price of a taxi ride is $20 (taxes and gratuity included), depending on traffic. There are currently no shuttle services available.
Note: The venue for the Consultation, the RBC Convention Centre, is different from the hotel.
- RBC Convention Centre Floor Plan
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The floor plans will be made available soon.
- Quiet space
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A room (details to come soon) will be designated as a quiet space for use during the Consultation.
- Simultaneous Interpretation
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Simultaneous Interpretation in English and French is offered is all plenaries, workshop sessions and Working Group Meetings.
Headsets will be available [location]
Please note that caucuses are not interpreted.
- Lunches
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Lunches will be available on Tuesday, November 18th and Wednesday, November 19th. They will be served buffet style.
- Winnipeg - what to do and restaurants around the hotel
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- For information on what to do in Winnipeg during the week of November 17-21 and information about where to find nearby restaurants, please refer to: https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/
- Exhibitors
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During the event, you will have the opportunity to visit our exhibitors tables located outside of the meeting rooms. Please take the time to stop by their tables to check their programs and resources, to network or simply to say hi!
- Tell us how we did!
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Details to come!
- Payment instructions
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Methods of payment available
Online, cheque, direct deposit. Please see the emailed invoice for details on how to pay by cheque or direct deposit.Deadline to settle the invoice
Please note that all registration MUST be paid within:
- 10 working days from the day the invoice was initially sent for early bird rates
- 5 working days from the day the invoice was initially sent for regular rates
If payment is not received withing these timelines, your registration may not be confirmed and depending on the rates deadline, you may be billed for the higher rate (from early bird to regular)Cancellation policy
Please contact the Operations team at finances@ccrweb.ca to request a cancellation and refund.
Full refund until 5pm Pacific Time on Friday October 17, 2025 and no refunds thereafter. Stripe fees are non-refundable.
Information
- About the CCR
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If this is your first time at a CCR event, we encourage you to visit our website to familiarize yourselves with our work. You can start with: About CCR.
- Orientation to the Consultation
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Details to come!
- Acronyms
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We encourage speakers, moderators and participants to avoid using acronyms during discussions but it may be that some find their way in the presentations or exchanges. To help you, you can check out our List of acronyms.
- Anti-oppression guidelines
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The CCR has a long standing commitment to social justice and transformation by challenging racism, colonialism and intersecting oppressions.
We strive to offer brave and safe spaces for all participants and we ask you to please consult our Anti-oppression guidelines.
- CCR Working Groups
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The CCR has three Working Groups that serve as forums for members and other interested organizations to exchange information, network and develop policy positions on issues affecting the rights of refugees and newcomers.
The Working Groups are closed to representatives of the government and the media.
For an overview of the CCR Working Groups, please consult the Working Groups Infographic.
- For CCR members - Moving an issue forward: Action or Resolution?
Click here to go back to the main event page and to register!
Questions?Contact consultation@ccrweb.ca
Support our work and future events!
For over 40 years, the CCR has been working to build a Canada that protects refugees and welcomes newcomers. Your generosity helps make that vision a reality!
The CCR's monthly giving program is an important way to support our work to ensure that refugee and newcomer rights are protected in Canada, including through advocacy and educational work.
Monthly donations are the most efficient way to support our activities all year long!