U.S.-Canada Memorandum of Understanding

Resolution number
23
Whereas
  1. The U.S. standards for refugee protection are lower than those in Canada and the implementation of a safe country agreement will negatively affect thousands of refugee claimants coming to Canada from the U.S.;
  2. On February 25, 1995 Prime Minister Chrétien and President Clinton announced that they are seeking a Safe Country Agreement under the Joint Border Management Accord despite the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration's initial statements that he was against such an agreement;
  3. The CCR in previous resolutions has demanded significant guarantees before such an agreement is signed;
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR:

  1. Press the government of Canada not to enter into agreement with the U.S. unless those guarantees are satisfied;
  2. Demand a public hearing on the new draft agreement before it is signed and seek opportunities to comment on the proposed agreement.
Subject
Safe third country
Working Group
Inland Protection