Program, CCR consultation, 16-18 November 2023

It's the first day of the CCR Consultation and there's a lot for you to discover – especially for first time participants – so join us for a quick orientation! We'll walk you through the CCR structure, engagement process and make sure you're well equipped to navigate the sessions, connect with your colleagues, get support from our team onsite, and more!

This is an opportunity to be introduced to the three Working Groups (Overseas Protection and Resettlement, Inland Protection and Immigration and Settlement) and their key current issues. Participants will find out how they can move an issue forward through proposing an action or resolution, connect with others with similar concerns and identify emerging issues for discussion at part 2 of the Working Group meetings (Friday November 17)

*Working Group meetings are closed to government and media.

Keynote (virtual): Honourable Marc Miller Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship followed by live Q&A with audience.

Participants from historically underserved regions across the country will share their experiences serving agricultural workers, as well as workers in construction, hospitality, food, health, caregiving, and other industries. Our aim is to exchange perspectives and best practices between regions and sectors, to build collaboration, and to create connections for mutual support.

Youth are often underrepresented in government decision-making that impact young newcomers and refugees. This workshop will focus on the need for youth participation in decision-making processes, and advocacy for solutions to address the barriers accessing essential services. 

Many refugee claimants receive inadequate shelter and settlement supports (legal aid, social assistance, jobs, housing, etc.) upon arrival in Canada, which are vital for developing successful, independent lives. This session will highlight methodology for providing shelter and wrap around supports and how it can be replicated across the country.

The United Nations has declared 2015-2024 the Decade of People of African Descent. As proclaimed by the General Assembly, the theme for the International Decade is “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development".

To mark this, the African Refugee Network (ARN) and the OPR WG are collaborating to look at colonialism and its impact on Canada’s immigrant system. This is part of the OPR's ongoing commitment to looking at the root causes of forced migration. Colonialism has deep roots in many places worldwide and indeed in Africa. While colonialism has had many negative impacts over the centuries, it has undoubtedly contributed to forced migration both internally and outside of the continent of Africa. We want to look at the impact colonialism has had on the forced migration of Africans, how colonialism continues today, and explore how we can address both the legacy of colonialism and its continued impact on the Canadian immigration process.

The challenging landscape of Canadian immigration is continually changing. In 2019, The College Act was passed which formalized the regulatory body for Immigration Consultants. This workshop is an opportunity to learn about the complaint process, how we can protect and regulate professionals for the protection of newcomers, temporary residents and international students.The workshop will bring in lived perspectives and will explore types of abuses and systemic issues.

In recent years the refugee claim process has undergone significant changes. This educational workshop will explore the most recent developments and offer a space to share resources and information between participants.

This workshop will consider how the recent expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement builds on a legacy of racist and exclusionary border practices. Participants will hear an Indigenous and migrant perspective on the border and will engage in discussion about CCR’s advocacy strategy on border issues.

In the dynamic landscape of Canadian immigration, the concept of "family" holds significant importance, shaping the lives of individuals and communities. This workshop delves into the intricate definition of the term "family" within the Canadian immigration system, uncovering its implications and highlighting the existing gaps that warrant attention.

International students play a vital role in the Canadian socio-economic landscape, making contributions to the global competition for talent and bolstering the national economy. The session will explore key aspects including labour exploitation, international recruitment, the housing crisis, and uncertain paths towards permanent residency.

Keynote Presentation: "Revamping Responses to Gender-Based Violence Through a Decolonial Lens" followed by discussion and questions with participants.

Reasons for migration are complex and often result from imperial and colonial forces creating forced displacement and habitat destruction. Many people who are Indigenous to other countries of origin migrate to Canada and experience important differences and intersections with that of Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. While recognizing the specific needs of those communities, this workshop aims to explore common issues and systemic advocacy strategies built on solidarity and mutual respect.

The federal government has introduced in the past years a strategy to address Gender-based violence (GBV) which includes specific initiatives for several federal departments and agencies. In this workshop, representatives from IRCC, CBSA, IRB and civil society will discuss how GBV is approached and applied as a concept and consideration in their operations in terms of processing, supports and settlement for refugees, claimants and migrants.

The contemporary landscape of forced displacement is characterized by urgent “emergencies”, such as those arising from conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. These situations evoke responses from both government and the public, often resulting in swift and substantial actions. There are also sudden developments, such as the recent events in Sudan, that clearly fit within the criteria of an “emergency”, much like those to which the government has provided responses. Furthermore, there are other more protracted situations whose humanitarian impacts are of similar magnitude. The pressing question arises: How can we meaningfully address these highly visible migration events while also ensuring a substantial response to the often overlooked and enduring challenges of other displaced populations?

In recent years the refugee claim process has undergone significant changes in Canada, with technology playing an increasing role in refugee determination, including through online portals for processing claims and virtual hearings. This workshop will explore the most recent developments from the perspective of those with direct experience of these technologies, and offer a space to discuss best practices, strategies to overcome barriers, and a means to share resources and information between participants and government officials.

In this second part of the working group meetings, participants will discuss follow up from the workshops and other strategies for collaboration, for action and for policy development. All participants who are not representing a government agency or the media should attend one of the Working Group meetings:

• Immigration and Settlement
• Inland Protection
• Overseas Protection and Resettlement

Working group meetings are closed to government employees and media. Representatives of inter governmental organizations (IOM, UNHCR) are encouraged to attend as observers.

This workshop will provide perspectives from frontline organisations on how they approach issues of mental health among refugees and migrants seeking services, as well as staff members providing services, who may themselves have lived experience. A community-centered approach will be taken in the discussion, particularly around how to meaningfully consider those who have intersecting identities. The workshop will also offer the opportunity to participants to exchange their knowledge and approaches through active dialogue.

Canada is a global leader in resettlement and the public has more access to direct engagement in providing settlement and selection than any other country. However, it can be an extremely complicated and constantly changing place to get involved and remain active. This workshop will provide some of the basic information about resettlement in Canada and touch on some of the current issues and advocacy questions.

Collective advocacy is a powerful tool for effecting change; however, it can be challenging to know what strategies to use to achieve the desired objectives. This workshop will explore theories of change and discuss how CCR members can better collaborate on both regional and national issues for impact . The workshop will enable participants to learn from existing campaigns and practice applying concepts learned in the workshop to different issue areas.

Participants will review highlights of the consultation and debate resolutions. The session will include the CCR Annual General Meeting, with the election of Executive members.