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Anti-oppression

The International Decade for People of African Descent

Resolution number
2
Whereas
  1. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 68/237, which proclaimed 2015 to 2024 to be the International Decade for People of African Descent, with the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”;
  2. The specific objectives for the International Decade are:
    • To strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society;
    • To promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;
    • To adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation.

 

Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR:

  1. Recognizes the efforts made by Canada in support of the International Decade’s objectives and the fact that there is a long way to fully achieve these objectives;
  2. Calls on the Government of Canada to live up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s commitment regarding the International Decade that Canada will take “a whole-of-government approach that builds upon the framework of the Decade, by developing policies and projects that tackle anti-Black racism, discrimination, and bias in public and private institutions.”;
  3. Calls on IRCC to create a permanent actionable policy to further the objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

 

Disaggregated Data

Resolution number
3
Whereas
  1. The CCR has two resolutions on poverty Racialization of poverty (Res.: 1 , Nov 2016) and Poverty circumstances of Government-Assisted Refugees (Res.: 2 , Nov 2005)
  2. Federal, provincial and territorial government legislation and policies should be based on sound evidence (including, but not limited to demographic and user data) that is representative of the experiences of all residents of Canada;
  3. Publicly available census and other administrative data is not representative of all residents of Canada;
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR call on federal, provincial and territorial governments to:

  1. Collect and make publicly available full access to disaggregated data;
  2. Ensure that legislation and policies that impact on poverty are informed by disaggregated data.

Racialization of poverty

Resolution number
1
Whereas
  1. The gap between rich and poor in Canada is widening generally, and disproportionately impacts racialized group members;
  2. Inequalities with respect to economic status, health, learning outcomes and more are deep and persistent among members of racialized groups;
  3. These are products of structural and systemic racism and exclusion;
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR call on all levels of government in Canada to:

  1. Work to expand fair access to institutions and opportunities;
  2. Promote economic equity and justice;
  3. Seek investments in opportunity and advancement;
  4. Work to ensure that racial equity and racial justice efforts are adequately funded and effectively resourced.

CIC documents for Trans Persons

Resolution number
6
Whereas
  1. Gender identity is a fluid concept;
  2. Refugees may be persecuted because of their gender identity;
  3. Migrants’ gender identity may change before and after they arrive in Canada;
  4. Trans newcomers to Canada experience barriers in obtaining government documents which reflect their gender identity;
  5. CIC policies state that its documents cannot be changed to reflect persons’ lived gender identity;
  6. Provincial and Territorial Human Rights Codes protect the right to gender identity and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination; 
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR demand amendments to CIC policies such that immigration and citizenship documents reflect the gender of persons as they identify.

Anti-oppression analytical framework

Resolution number
3
Whereas
  1. CIC has developed and implemented a gender-based tool to identify differential impacts of policies, programs and services;
  2. IRB has developed and implemented guidelines on gender-related persecution;
  3. Gender is only one among many factors of oppression that have a differential impact on refugees and immigrants;
  4. CCR believes in and promotes a full, comprehensive and integrated anti-oppression framework of analysis that includes race, gender (including gender identity and expression), class, ability, sexuality (including sexual orientation), ethnicity, religion, age, nationality and immigration status;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Urge CIC and the IRB to work with CCR to:
    1. expand their existing gender-based tools and guidelines to a full, comprehensive and integrated anti-oppression framework of analysis and apply it to policies, programs and services;
    2. Conduct training for their staff;
  2. Urge CIC and IRB to report periodically on the use of the tool, guidelines and training programs.
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