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Mental health

Minister's representatives

Resolution number
9
Whereas
  1. There have been reports of Minister's Representatives' interventions in refugee hearings leading to retraumatization of refugee claimants, especially survivors of torture;
  2. There is no Code of Conduct to be observed by the Minister's representative at refugee hearings;
  3. There is no adequate accountability mechanism in this respect;
Therefore be it resolved

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.

 

Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Mental health

Mental health

Resolution number
22
Whereas
  1. In 1994, CCR passed a resolution urging the implementation of the recommendations outlined in "After the Door Has Been Opened" in regard to the mental health of refugee and immigrants;
  2. There has been no documented implementation or follow-up on the recommendations;
  3. There are limited and restricting resources for mental health services under the Interim Federal Health Program;
Therefore be it resolved

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.
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Health
Mental health

Extensions for filing PIFs and abandonments

Resolution number
12
Whereas
  1. The IRB is denying extensions of time for filing PIFs and where extensions are granted they are for 1-2 weeks maximum;
  2. This does not allow for difficulties claimants experience when they:
    a)are detained; b)require translation (language issues);
    c)require an experienced counsel (e.g. gender, sexual orientation);
    d)face delays in obtaining legal aid;
    e)reside in smaller centres with no easy access to counsel;
    f)are survivors of torture and trauma;
  3. The IRB is declaring abandonment even where a claimant has produced a PIF and has a reasonable explanation for the delay;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Ask the Chairperson of the IRB to issue a directive to allow for longer (1 month or more) extensions for filing of PIFs;
  2. Ask the IRB Chairperson to issue a directive that cases not be declared abandoned if the PIF is filed in advance of or at an abandonment hearing.
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
IRB
Mental health

Arming of border guards

Resolution number
9
Whereas
  1. A decision has been made by the government of Canada to arm the officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
  2. The CCR has raised its concerns to the Prime Minister in this regard.
  3. Arming CBSA is absolutely unnecessary with negative impacts on refugees who have gone through persecution, mental trauma and torture.
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR oppose the arming of CBSA and advocate to overturn the decision.

Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Mental health

Persons with mental health issues before the IRB

Resolution number
9
Whereas
  1. The needs of persons with mental health issues are not being adequately addressed by any of the divisions of the IRB;
  2. The guidelines for vulnerable persons do not meet these needs;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR advocate for the creation and implementation by the IRB of specialized mental health tribunals modelled upon the mental health courts in the criminal justice system.

Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
IRB
Health
Mental health
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