Canada has a strong legacy as a world leader in welcoming immigrants and refugees. Unlike the “melting pot” to the south of us, we embrace the richness that global cultures bring to the fabric of our society.
Not so long ago, people across Canada joined together to welcome people fleeing danger in Syria to find a safe home here in Canada. Now, we increasingly hear politicians at home and abroad shifting blame onto newcomers for problems that have been decades in the making, thanks to policy failures and neglect of our social infrastructure.
The result has been an alarming rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. And we know from history, this is often just the beginning of increasing division and “othering” of historically marginalized communities.
It’s time for the whole of civil society to come together and turn the tide on public opinion by learning ways to talk about immigrants and refugees that honours who we are as a nation built by diverse peoples. To do that, we need to be strategic, coordinated and bold. And, we must help our neighbours understand the true causes of the crises we’re facing.
Otherwise, our complacency risks losing the values that hold us together and increasing harms like we are seeing elsewhere.
That’s why the Canadian Council for Refugees, in partnership with caring organizations across sectors, is launching a campaign mid November 2025 to equip and train civil society and individuals from coast to coast to push back against the rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric that is already causing harm to our neighbours.
Our campaign is grounded in messaging research that involved nearly 2500 people across Canada and in leading expertise on how to move people with values-driven messages. This will be the first phase of a multi-year campaign to protect what we love about this country. Together, we will become powerful advocates and grow our ability to speak and act in a unified voice.
To be a part of this urgent push against rising anti-immigrant sentiment, stay in touch with the campaign through the form below.
Other ways to help:
- Share this page with colleagues, friends and other organizations to spread the word and grow our impact. Be sure to share why you care and ask them to join you.
- Fund the campaign through this donation form or e-mail membership@ccrweb.ca. And please share this with other civil society groups that can help fund this urgently needed campaign.