Education

Tertiary education for Sudanese refugees

Resolution number
10
Whereas
  1. The conflict in the Sudan is over three decades old.
  2. Many Sudanese refugees languish in refugee camps in Kenya, Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.
  3. There is no imminent likelihood of these refugees repatriating to the Sudan.
  4. The majority of these refugees are youth with no opportunities for education past the secondary level.
  5. There is little opportunity for these youth to resettle to a third country.
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR urge the Government of Canada, through consultations with other donor countries and international agencies, to develop a fund to provide educational opportunities, at the tertiary level, to Sudanese refugees in Kenya, Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.

Subject

Children's education

Resolution number
1
Whereas
  1. Canada is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which guarantees education for children;
  2. Education is fundamental to child development;
Therefore be it resolved

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.

Access to higher education for refugees in limbo

Resolution number
6
Whereas
  1. Convention refugees who have not been landed are living permanently in Canada;
  2. Access to higher education is a key to Canadian life and economic independence;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Write to the minister of Human Resources Development Canada urging him to amend the Canada Student Loans Act to include Convention Refugees in their eligibility criteria;
  2. Urge its members to raise this issue with their local Members of Parliament;
  3. Encourage provincial governments to:

    a) advocate this change with the Federal government;

    b) make the same change in their provincial legislation.

Subject

Children and access to education

Resolution number
30
Whereas
  1. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has noted with concern in its recent report on Canada that children are being excluded from schools in Canada because of their lack of immigration status;
  2. It is the policy of the CCR that all minor children residing in Canada have the right to attend school regardless of their immigration status;
  3. Education of children is a matter of the exclusive jurisdiction of the provincial governments under the Canadian constitution;
  4. The exception set out in section 30(2) of IRPA has the effect, due to its ambiguity, of excluding from school many children who are not visitors;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Urge the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to amend section 30(2) omitting the exception.
  2. Contact all the provincial Ministers of Education and urge them to ensure that all minor children are admitted to schools in Canada free of charge without regard to their immigration status.
  3. Work with local groups such as the Education Rights Task Force in Ontario to develop strategies to ensure that all minor children have free access to education everywhere in Canada regardless of their immigration status.
Working Group

Post secondary education for children of refugee claimants

Resolution number
13
Whereas

children of many refugee claimants, failed refugee claimants and children who are themselves refugee claimants or failed refugee claimants are unable to attend post secondary educational institutions while they or their parent(s) are awaiting a decision on an application to CIC due to the high cost of that education. These children are considered international students.

Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR call on the Governments of Canada and the Provinces to permit children of refugee claimants, failed refugee claimants and children who are themselves refugee claimants or failed refugee claimants awaiting decisions on applications to CIC and who are not removable, to attend Canadian schools and post secondary educational institutions at the same fees and requirements as Canadian residents.

Working Group

Educational needs of newcomer youth in the Atlantic region

Resolution number
6
Whereas
  1. It is the intention of the Atlantic provincial and municipal governments to attract and encourage immigrants and refugees to move to and remain in the region;
  2. There is already a deficiency of educational resources available;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR advocate on behalf of the Atlantic Region for the required resources to support the educational needs of newcomer youth.

Subject

Educational standards

Resolution number
4
Whereas
  1. There are no minimum standards or process to address the educational gaps of refugee children and youth;
  2. Education standards vary from one school division/district and from one province to another;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR advocate for:

1. An education policy/strategy to address the gaps for refugee children and youth;

  • A compulsory course in cross-cultural education for teachers in consultation with the CCR and service providers;
  • Adequate funding for educating children and youth who have interrupted schooling.
Subject

Migration Curriculum

Resolution number
2
Whereas
  1. Provincial Ministries of Education have existing commitments to address stereotypes through anti-bullying and anti-racism principles of awareness, empathy, engagement, cultural sensitivity and empowerment;
  2. Extensive efforts have been made to develop curriculum modifications to address the needs of newcomer students;
  3. Schools are central to inculcating citizenship values among all Canadian youth;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR promote the expansion of core curriculum strategies and resources for the entire student population to address the lived experiences and continuing realities of immigrants and refugees in our modern multicultural Canadian society through collaborative engagement between provincial ministries of education, settlement agencies and other relevant partners and stakeholders.

Subject