Overseas Protection and Resettlement

that the CCR advocate that:

1. Resettlement of refugees is first and foremost a tool of protection which must be the main motivation for Canada’s refugee resettlement program;
2. Foreign policy interests and other political or economic interests have no place in a humanitarian program;
3. The criteria defining the ability to successfully establish in Canada have no place in an humanitarian program that focuses on protection and should be eliminated entirely from the Refugee Resettlement Regulations;
4. Federal and provincial governments increase resources for programs and services to facilitate better integration outcomes especially when the refugee has high needs and may require different levels of support over a longer period of time.

that the CCR oppose corporate activities that contribute, directly or indirectly, to forced displacement.

that the CCR call on the Minister to:

1. Establish a fair procedure to determine if the applicant has met the exceptions set out in 19(f) and (l) and create similar exceptions for subsections (e) and (k);
2. Define what is meant by the phrase "detrimental to the national interest" in order to avoid vagueness and uncertainty;
3. Allow a review of these decisions by an independent and impartial tribunal such as the IRB.

that the CCR:

1. Reaffirm our support of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program to allow Canadians to protect and welcome refugees;
2. Oppose any government limit or ceilings on the PSR program.

That the CCR urge CIC to:

1. Process the immediate family of refugees selected overseas simultaneously, even when they are in a different country.
2. Stop advising refugees granted status by the IRB not to include their immediate family on their permanent residence application.
3. Ensure that no financial requirements are demanded of refugees who have become permanent residents or Canadian citizens and who are seeking to sponsor their immediate family.

That the CCR write to the Government of Canada clearly reiterating the original principles of the Private Sponsorship Program and expressing our concern over Citizenship and Immigration Canada's regular attempts to dilute or discard these principles.

That the CCR urge the Government of Canada to respond to the deterioration of the security of Afghan women by resettling Afghan refugee women and their families through speedy processing of private sponsorships including Women at Risk, and through resuming the government sponsorship program for the region.

That the CCR:

1. Request that the Government of Canada urge that the Royal Thai Government grant exit visas to all refugees approved and accepted for resettlement in Canada, whether or not they are in the "safe camp".
2. In the interim, urge the UNHCR to use its influence with the Royal Thai Government to admit all refugees, including Karen and other ethnic minorities with approved sponsorships, to the "safe camp" whence they can be approved for exit visas.

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.

That the CCR:

1. Use international fora to expose atrocities by the Sudanese government upon the people of southern Sudan.
2. Call on the Government of Canada to bring the conditions of southern Sudanese to the attention of the appropriate UN bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Security Council and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs.
3. Call on the Government of Canada in cooperation with the UNHCR to address the security needs of Sudanese refugees and in particular Sudanese children.