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Safe third country

U.S.-Canada Memorandum of Understanding

Resolution number
23
Whereas
  1. The U.S. standards for refugee protection are lower than those in Canada and the implementation of a safe country agreement will negatively affect thousands of refugee claimants coming to Canada from the U.S.;
  2. On February 25, 1995 Prime Minister Chrétien and President Clinton announced that they are seeking a Safe Country Agreement under the Joint Border Management Accord despite the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration's initial statements that he was against such an agreement;
  3. The CCR in previous resolutions has demanded significant guarantees before such an agreement is signed;
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR:

  1. Press the government of Canada not to enter into agreement with the U.S. unless those guarantees are satisfied;
  2. Demand a public hearing on the new draft agreement before it is signed and seek opportunities to comment on the proposed agreement.
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Safe third country

Safe third country agreement and U.S. standards

Resolution number
8
Whereas
  1. The CCR has adopted a resolution strongly opposing any Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)/Safe Third Country Agreement (STC) between the United States and Canada;
  2. The United States government has recently passed regressive immigration legislation;
  3. This legislation has resulted in the summary removal of approximately 4,000 people from the US between April 1 and May 13, 1997, as a result of lack of identity documents;
  4. Some of the people who have been summarily removed have been en route to Canada to make refugee claims;
  5. These summary removals provide conclusive evidence that the United States is not meeting standards of protection articulated in the Geneva Convention;
  6. The Québec Ministre des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration has publicly supported the implementation of the MOA/STC agreement;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Condemn this shift in US immigration policy and procedure and reiterate its strong opposition to the negotiation of any MOA or STC agreement;
  2. Write to the Québec Ministre des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration explaining our position on this issue and urging him to withdraw his support for the MOA/STC agreement.
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Safe third country

Children: "None is Too Many" Agreement

Resolution number
5
Whereas
  1. The Canadian government intends to sign a "None is Too Many" agreement with the USA;
  2. Under IRPA the Canadian government has confirmed its intention of only detaining minors as a last resort;
  3. In the USA, the immigration authorities detain on average 5,000 separated children every year;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR ask for assurances from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration that no children who are seeking protected person status in Canada – whether separated from or accompanied by parents or legal guardians – be returned to the U.S.A.

 
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Children
Safe third country

Better RAD than Mad and No MOU for You

Resolution number
4
Whereas
  1. The government has recently announced that they would delay the implementation of the RAD;
  2. This announcement is a betrayal of parliament's will as expressed in the IRPA;
  3. The CCR, UNHCR and the Inter American Commission on Human Rights consider an appeal on the merits to be essential for a coherent, consistent and fair refugee determination process;
  4. Next month the government is announcing a "None is Too Many" agreement with the U.S. which would shut our borders to most refugees;
  5. The U.S. systematically detains undocumented refugees and places them with convicted criminals;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Offer its services to coordinate a national campaign to implement the RAD and to oppose the U.S.-Canada "None is Too Many" agreement;
  2. Urge civil society groups to employ all peaceful and creative means necessary so as to ensure effective public education and advocacy on these issues.
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Safe third country

United States: Safe Third Country

Resolution number
16
Whereas
  1. Canada is proposing to implement the Safe Third Country Agreement;
  2. The USA is involved in regional conflicts e.g. Plan Colombia, Andean Initiatives, and Middle East conflicts which create internally displaced persons and asylum seekers;
  3. CCR recognizes that US asylum procedures may be prejudicial and/or biased towards asylum seekers from countries that have significant US involvement in those countries' conflicts;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR ask the Canadian Government to exempt all asylum seekers from such countries from being sent back to the United States under the Safe Third Country Agreement.

 
Working Group
Inland Protection
Subject
Safe third country
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