1. Statement on death of Abdirahman Abdi

2. Infographic: strong and equitable resettlement

3. Statement on Blended Visa Office Referred Refugees

4. Upcoming webinar - Identifying and assessing human trafficking: a national assessment tool

5. Summer Working Group Meetings

1. Statement on death of Abdirahman Abdi

The CCR is deeply distressed at the tragic death of Abdirahman Abdi following a troubling altercation with officers of the Ottawa Police Service. We extend our sincere condolences to Mr Abdi’s family and to all who knew him as a friend and neighbour.

Mr Abdi came to Canada to escape violence in Somalia. We regret profoundly that he was not able to find a haven from violence in Canada. 

In order for Canada to truly be a safe haven for refugees, we need to acknowledge and confront the racism that exists in our society. We call on all levels of government and all enforcement agencies to strengthen their commitment to dismantling the racism that too often affects how government authorities interact with People of Colour and Indigenous People.

Read the full statement at:
ccrweb.ca/en/statement-death-abdirahman-abdi

2. Infographic: strong and equitable resettlement

The Canadian government will soon be deciding on how many refugees and immigrants Canada will admit in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Canadians want to know that their government is fulfilling its international responsibility, on behalf of all Canadians, to protect refugees through resettlement.

The CCR has published an infographic explaining how Canada can meet its responsibility towards the global needs for resettlement in the next few years.

To see the infographic, visit:
ccrweb.ca/en/infographic-strong-and-equitable-resettlement

3. Statement on Blended Visa Office Referred Refugees

Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR) refugees are supported jointly by the government and private sponsors (hence they are a “blend” of Private Sponsorship and Government Assistance).

The CCR calls on the government to commit to the principle of additionality by ensuring that Blended Visa Office Referred refugees (BVORs) are not counted as Government Assisted Refugees, or at least not more than 50% toward the GAR (Government Assisted Refugees) target.

Canadians want to know that their government is fulfilling its responsibility, on behalf of all Canadians, to protect refugees through resettlement, and that any refugees they sponsor are additional to those resettled by the government.

Read the full statement by the CCR at:
ccrweb.ca/en/BVOR-statement

4. Upcoming webinar - Identifying and assessing human trafficking: a national assessment tool

Trafficked persons are often under the radar of service providers. Some of the reasons include lack of information on human trafficking, and reluctance of survivors in coming forward. Also, some survivors don’t actually recognize they are being trafficked. Lack of identification creates barriers to prevention and the protection of trafficked persons. 

Launched in 2015, the CCR National Human Trafficking Assessment Tool was created to guide first-contact service providers across Canada in identifying and responding to situations of human trafficking. Ultimately, the tool is intended to strengthen the protection of trafficked persons in Canada. 

This two-part webinar series will make the case for the need to work collaboratively across the country to build evidence on human trafficking, and introduce this practical tool to guide conversations with potentially trafficked persons in order to better serve them.

For more information and to register, visit:
ccrweb.ca/en/webinar/identifying-and-assessing-human-trafficking-national-assessment-tool

5. Summer Working Group Meetings