Canadian Council for Refugees
Media release
5 December 2017
For immediate release
CCR elects new president
The Canadian Council for Refugees is pleased to announce that Claire Roque was elected President at its Annual General Meeting on December 2. Ms Roque is a representative of Refugee Ministries at the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, based in Windsor. Dorota Blumczynska, Executive Director of IRCOM in Winnipeg, was elected Vice-President.
“I vow to use my role as President to lead the Canadian Council for Refugees to fight for full access to human rights for refugees and other vulnerable migrants,” said Claire Roque, CCR President. “They are equally human and equally deserving of being treated with kindness and dignity.”
Ms Roque takes over from Loly Rico, who was President since 2012. CCR members had an opportunity during the consultation to thank Ms Rico for her outstanding leadership in advancing the cause of refugees and vulnerable migrants.
The AGM took place at the conclusion of a successful CCR Fall Consultation in Niagara Falls. Over 360 participants engaged in discussions on a wide range of topics relating to refugee protection and newcomer settlement. The keynote speaker was Minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale, who responded to CCR concerns, notably regarding the need for an accountability mechanism for the Canada Border Services Agency and reducing use of immigration detention, especially for children.
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Contact:
Janet Dench, 514-277-7223, media@ccrweb.ca