Public statement

The Canadian Council for Refugees is deeply concerned at the rise of intolerance towards Muslims in Canada and calls on political, community and faith leaders to take strong, positive action in response.

1. The CCR welcomes the recommendations of the jury, which identify numerous important steps that need to be taken to protect the rights and dignity of persons detained under Canada’s immigration legislation. The CCR supports most of the recommendations.
2. Liberty is a fundamental right and can only be taken away in limited, legally prescribed circumstances. Detention under immigration legislation should therefore only be used as a last resort and after alternatives to detention have been explored.

November 18, 2014

The Honourable Joe Oliver, MP, PC
Minister of Finance
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

Open Letter: Budget Bill Restricts Access to Social Assistance for Refugee Claimants

Dear Minister,

Media release

For immediate release
7 July 2014

Federal Court ruling on refugee health cuts affirms Canadian values of fairness and humanity

Introduction

Canadians have recently had their attention drawn to serious problems with the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. It is useful to look at these issues in the broader context.

From permanent to temporary

Over the past decade, Canada’s immigration program has shifted significantly from permanent to temporary immigration. In 2008, for the first time, the numbers of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada exceeded the number of Permanent Residents admitted. Since then the number of Temporary Foreign Workers has continued to grow.

This International Migrants Day (December 18), the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) reflects on the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in Canada, and what has changed for them in 2013. In May 2013, the CCR published a series of report cards evaluating each provincial government as well as the federal government for their level of protections and services for migrant workers.

December 10^th celebrates international human rights and the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family. Refugees are part of the human family and entitled to the same rights.

8 July 2013

The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the announcement by the federal government of a commitment to resettle some Syrian refugees.

The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the recent decision by the BC Supreme Court striking down a section of the immigration legislation, on the grounds that it criminalizes humanitarian acts to protect refugees.

Bill C-31 was sent back to the House of Commons on 14 May 2012, after being revised by the Standing Committee on Citizenship andImmigration. For the revised text of the bill, see: http://bit.ly/KHrumi. To read the 13 amendments passed, see: http://bit.ly/JOXMML.