Public statement

16 December 2016

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 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.

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.

9 March 2016

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

Dear Ministers,

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.

The CCR joins in the global outrage at the recent mass murders in Paris and Beirut. The loss of life and shattering of our sense of security connects us to the daily death and destruction in Syria and in other countries at war. We hope that Canadians will remember that Syrian refugees are victims of this violence and will redouble their commitment to welcome them in Canada.

We are dismayed by some public statements unfairly associating refugees with security risks. We would like to point out the following: