The scourges of COVID-19 and anti-Black racism have opened our eyes in 2020 more widely than ever before to things that are fundamentally wrong in our society.
We rely on migrant workers, refugee claimants, and others with precarious status to do essential work to keep us fed, cared for, and safe. Yet we deny them the basic rights and supports necessary for them to keep themselves and their families safe.
Letter from Amnesty International Canada (English Branch), British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Canadian Council for Refugees
11 April 2019
The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2
In a letter to the Prime Minister, civil society organizations from across Canada lay out concerns and questions regarding the appointment of a new and unprecedented Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction.
Joint letter sent by the Canadian Council for Refugees, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL), Amnesty International Canada (English Branch) and the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)
31 May 2018
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Dear Minister,
Re: Independence of Canada’s refugee determination system
The Canadian Council for Refugees calls on Canada to care about caregivers
This International Women’s Day, the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) calls on the federal government to change its policies to respect the rights and contributions of the many women who come to this country as caregivers.
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister,
The Canadian Council for Refugees joins its voice to the appeal from the National Council of Canadian Muslims requesting that January 29 be designated a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia.
Submission made by the Canadian Council for Refugees and Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers to the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers’ Meeting on Human Rights, December 2017:
The CCR promotes the use of “refugee claimant” to describe a person who is seeking Canada’s protection at our borders, or within the country. Similarly, for the process, we prefer refugee claim process, or refugee determination process.
This International Workers Day, migrant workers in Canada are still waiting for the federal government to take substantive action to protect them from exploitation and to recognize the value of their contribution to the Canadian economy and communities.
Recently, there has been an increase in people entering from the US to make a refugee claim in Canada. There have also been distressing reports of people suffering serious frostbite as they attempt to enter Canada.
This holiday season, the Canadian Council for Refugees invites Canadians to rejoice in the ways in which our communities and our own lives are enriched by welcoming newcomers.
Over the past year, tens of thousands of children, women and men who have lived through unspeakable horrors have found refuge and a safe home here. All who played a part in welcoming refugees have been reminded that we gain most when we give to others.
The CCR welcomes the fact that, at 300,000 new permanent residents, the overall immigration level for 2017 remains above the levels in recent years (the average annual level 2000-2015 was 250,000). Nevertheless, we are disappointed that the number is not higher. CCR believes that immigration levels should be set at a minimum of 1% of the population (which would be 350,000). It is important that we also invest the resources needed for successful settlement and integration.
The CCR applauds the federal government for eliminating on December 13 the “cumulative duration” rule that limits temporary foreign workers’ participation in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to four years. This is a victory for the many migrant workers and advocates that have been fighting against the rule, and an important step towards recognizing the rights of workers who are active contributors to the Canadian economy and society.
The principle of additionality is fundamental to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Privately sponsored refugees are over and above the refugees resettled by the government (Government Assisted Refugees). 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.
At a time when the numbers of people forcibly displaced worldwide are reaching record levels, the renewed warmth of Canada’s response to refugees is a much-needed sign of hope.
Countless Canadians have added their efforts to the government’s massive operation to resettle more than 25,000 Syrian refugees. Communities continue to mobilize to support those who have arrived. Many Canadian private sponsors are still waiting impatiently for Syrians, having worked hard to raise funds and to organize themselves to provide the assistance that will be needed.
The Canadian Council for Refugees joins Canadians across the country in celebrating Refugee Rights Day on April 4.
This year, when so many people fleeing persecution are being welcomed into Canada, Refugee Rights Day provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the fact that protecting refugees is at heart about recognizing refugees as human beings. Like all human beings, their basic rights need to be respected.
The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0J9
The Honourable John McCallum, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1L1
On International Women’s Day, the CCR reflects on the situation of newcomer women in Canada, and on opportunities for improvements in the coming years.
The CCR welcomes the announcement by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum that the government will soon follow through on its campaign promise to repeal conditional permanent residence. Since its implementation in 2012, this measure has made sponsored spouses, particularly women, more vulnerable to abuse and has forced some to remain in abusive relationships in order to avoid losing status in Canada.
The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the announcement by the federal government of a Syrian Family Links initiative, designed to connect Syrian refugees who have family in Canada with Canadian private sponsors seeking to identify refugees in need of resettlement.
The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the outpouring of warmth and hospitality towards Syrian refugees demonstrated by countless Canadians, including by offers of private sponsorship.
At the same time the new federal government has made refugees a priority, as shown by their undertakings to resettle Syrian refugees and the inclusion of refugees in the title of the Minister and his department (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship). Provincial and municipal governments have also shown leadership in their welcome of refugees.
MS St Louis apology must lead to renewed commitment to provide refuge