Youth

Islamophobia and discrimination targeting newcomer youth

Resolution number
1
Whereas
  1. Islamophobia and racist discrimination that disproportionately target newcomer youth are growing;
  2. This discrimination is being amplified by new and existing federal legislation; 
Therefore be it resolved

that the CCR:

  1. Calls on the federal  and provincial governments to increase funding for newcomer youth services, and where applicable reverse recent funding cuts to these areas;
  2. Recognizes and promotes to member organizations youth engagement and youth-led programming, including by holding regular youth-directed information sessions and workshops to identify emerging issues and appropriate responses.
  3. Encourages members to respond to potentially harmful legislation and draw attention to the particular impacts on youth.
Subject

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

Youth

Resolution number
1
Whereas
  1. Children make up approximately as much as half of all asylum seekers in the industrialized world;
  2. Refugee and immigrant youth are particularly vulnerable and have a unique set of needs;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Continuously raise the level of awareness of the needs of immigrant and refugee youth through CCR networks and consultations;
  2. Advocate for the rights of immigrant and refugee youth in Canada.
Subject

Youth representation within CCR

Resolution number
5
Whereas
  1. Young people are under-represented in the CCR;
  2. There are increasing numbers of separated children and youth coming to Canada;
  3. In order to remain relevant to immigrants and refugees, the CCR must find ways to increase youth participation;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR actively promote youth participation at all levels of the organization by:

  1. Having at least one youth workshop organized by youth for youth at CCR consultations;
  2. Finding ways to increase/encourage youth attendance at consultations;
  3. Exploring ways of linking and encouraging dialogue amongst youth that are interested in refugee and immigrant issues.
Subject

Youth involvement

Resolution number
2
Whereas
  1. Youth comprise a significant and often overlooked portion of the population.
  2. Youth are the leaders of tomorrow;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR encourage the involvement and participation of youth at every CCR consultation by designating a local youth organizing committee and furthermore that the CCR support youth participation.

Subject

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

Youth Inclusion

Resolution number
1
Whereas

The CCR recognizes the value of the participation and perspective of youth.

 
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Support the development of the CCR Youth Network and increasing meaningful youth engagement and leadership within the CCR.
  2. Add youth to the list of factors to be taken into account by the members of the CCR in the election of Executive Committee members.
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