Children

that the CCR:

1. Supports a definition of family that takes into account the family realities observed in various cultural communities and other family dependency situations (multigenerational family, de facto child, brother and sister, etc.), as well as the specific realities of other diverse social groups, including the families of people from LGBTQ+ communities.

that the CCR calls for:

1. The immediate suspension of the enforcement of a removal order against any foreign national who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency or foster family, or in kinship care.
2. An expedited pathway to permanent resident status through a public policy under s. 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for any foreign national in Canada who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care.
3. An expedited Temporary Resident Permit and accompanying work or study permit and for the waiving of any associated fees, for any foreign national in Canada who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care, where permanent resident status cannot immediately be granted.
4. An amendment to the Citizenship Act to recognize as a citizen any foreign national who came to Canada as a child and spent any period of their childhood in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family or kinship care.

that the CCR: 

1. Call on the federal government, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and NGOs, to establish a national framework for unaccompanied and separated migrant, refugee claimant and refugee children.
2. Insist that Canada’s national framework for unaccompanied and separated migrant, refugee claimant and refugee children take into account the following:
   1. the development of appropriate legislation, policy, protocols and safeguards to ensure fair and compassionate treatment of unaccompanied and separated minors at all stages of their settlement in Canada;
   2. adequate access to services and supports in all areas critical to the minor’s settlement and wellbeing (including, but not limited to: access to safe housing, education, healthcare services, legal assistance, social welfare, basic needs supports and family reunification), and;
   3. that Canada’s national framework for unaccompanied and separated migrant, refugee claimant and refugee children is developed and implemented in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

That the CCR support the thrust of the Brief submitted by ICCR and raise the major recommendations of the Brief at its meeting with officials, namely:

1. providing training programs on the Convention for the various actors in immigration procedures;
2. allowing the children of non-citizens to benefit from the Canadian Human Rights Act as of right;
3. introducing provisions of the Convention into the Immigration Act and Regulations relating to overseas procedures; children in hearings and interviews; family reunion procedures; and access to essential health and social services.

That the CCR:

1. Document the policies and practices of the different provinces in this area through its regional contacts;
2. File complaints with the appropriate Human Rights Commissions (federal/provincial) to denounce these discriminatory practices of the provinces towards these Canadian children;
3. In addition investigate possible international recourses with regard to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in order to file a complaint.

That the CCR write to the IRB Chairperson to recommend that:

1. Expedited hearings be generously used for such children;
2. The IRB develop substantive guidelines for children which will include family reunification as one of its principles.

That the CCR request that the Department implement a National Policy allowing entry of unaccompanied minors on the same basis as the Buffalo/Niagara agreement.

That the CCR:

1. Adopt the policy that education is a right of all minors regardless of immigration status;
2. Write to appropriate Provincial Ministers of Education urging that they adopt the above policy, and, for those provinces where this is already required by law, urging that they comply with their own legislation;
3. Write to CIC urging that in the interim letters of no objection be issued to the children of refugee claimants without delay prior to determination of eligibility.

That the CCR collaborate with the UNHCR to research and develop recommendations regarding legislation, policy and appropriate protocols to ensure fair treatment of unaccompanied migrant and refugee claimant children consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

That the CCR call on CIC, in the case of refugee children in need of such protection, as an alternative to detention, to implement other protection models such as “safe houses.”