Mental health

that the CCR ask federal and provincial funders of settlement services to increase funding for professional development and designate specific funds for training and support for staff in vicarious trauma, self-care, and trauma informed care.

That the CCR request the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to direct visa officers to accept and process expeditiously the referrals of Women at Risk cases from the UNHCR and NGOs without an interview for the details of the persecution experience.

That the CCR request that:

1. The above mentioned Federal ministries continue to implement the recommendations of the report "After the Door Has Been Opened";
2. These Ministries pay particular attention to and review the mental health effects of their policies;
3. These Ministries urge the Provincial Ministries of Health to recognise cross cultural mental health counselling by including costs for these services under the Provincial Health Plans.

that the CCR advocate that CBSA cease this practice, provide individuals with accommodations that respect their dignity, and provide access to appropriate services.

that CCR advocate that the IRB develop a policy for decision makers that requires that all conditions of release and stay take into account the ability of the person to comply with the conditions in light of their mental health status.

that the CCR advocate in favour of:

1. The right to State-funded counsel for persons with mental health issues.
2. Access to mental health services for persons in detention, including assessment, counselling, and treatment.
3. Training on mental health issues for all CBSA officers, IRB members, designated representatives and other stakeholders.
4. Guidelines to provide for flexibility to enable PIF or BOC amendments without consequences for refugee claimants and
5. Relaxed timelines for all vulnerable persons.
6. Repeal IRPA sections 64 (2) (no appeal for a person with a sentence of 2 years or more) and 68 (a) (automatic termination of stays of removal in the event of subsequent conviction.

That the CCR oppose the reductions to the IFHP announced in April 2012 and advocate:

1. For the cancellation of the announced reductions,
2. Against any other reductions in IFHP coverage, and
3. Against any differentiation in coverage based on category of refugee or claimant, or stage of processing (e.g. claimant, accepted refugee, refused refugee, government-assisted refugees, privately-sponsored refugees).

That the CCR request that the IRB make it apriority to establish a joint committee with the CCR to develop guidelines for refugee claim determination involving survivors of torture. The joint committee will work in consultation with other organizations with expertise in dealing with survivors of torture.

That the CCR write to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Chairperson of the IRB raising its concerns and asking them to collaborate in establishing a fair and accountable mechanism, with feedback from the CCR, for conduct of the Minister's representatives at refugee hearings and their mode of interventions.

That the CCR:

1. Request the development of a joint task group made up of CCR, CIC, Health Canada and relevant Québec ministries to investigate the outcome of the report's recommendations with an intent to re-evaluate the current status of mental health programming for refugees and immigrants and develop a national implementation strategy;
2. Request that CIC, Health Canada and their Québec counterparts provide the resources to facilitate the consultation processes;
3. Put in place measures to ensure broad representation of all stakeholders i.e. mental health practitioners, refugees and settlement providers;
4. Request that as an interim measure, CIC ensure that resources are provided to the Interim Federal Health Program to provide for both short and long-term mental health services and that it be applied consistently across Canada.