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.

The UN has declared 2015-2024 the Decade of People of African Decent. To mark this, the African Refugee Network (ARN) along with the Overseas Protection and Resettlement (OPR) Working Group are partnering to look at colonialism. This is part of the OPR ongoing commitment to looking at the root causes of forced migration. Colonialism has deep roots in many places around the world and certainly in Africa. While colonialism has many negative impacts over the centuries it has certainly contributed to forced migration both internally and outside of the continent of Africa. We want to look at the impact colonialism has had on forced migration of Africans, how colonialism continues today, and explore how we can address the impacts of colonialism. 

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.

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 also an opportunity to learn about the complaint process, how we can protect and regulate stakeholders such as newcomers, temporary residents and international students. The workshop will shed light into how to ensure anti-racism and anti-oppression is built into the College structure. The workshop will bring in lived perspectives and will explore types of abuses.

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 focus on the needs of migrant workers in northern, rural, and remote communities. We will discuss strategies these communities, service providers, and organizations have adopted, as well as best practices and successes. We will suggest how governments and policy makers can support the efforts of communities to support migrant workers.

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.