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CCR Resolutions Database

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  • National population strategy

    Res.: 7
    Whereas:
    1. The Auditor General of Canada in his report of April 1998 devoted an entire chapter (Chapter 6) to the demographic challenges facing Canada, saying “We are living longer and we are having fewer children. These are indisputable facts;”
    2. The Auditor General has pointed to the “significant impact” of these demographic trends, particularly on the economy and on the long-term financial condition of the government.
    3. The Auditor General has drawn attention to the inadequacy of the information provided by the Government to Parliament and the public about the implications of current demographic trends and their potential impact;
    4. The Government of Canada appears to have taken no overt action to respond to the recommendations of the Auditor General in these matters;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the Government of Canada to:

    1. Tell the people of Canada about the potential impacts that demographics can have, as detailed in, and as recommended by the 1998 report of the Auditor General;
    2. Devise a long-term strategy for increasing immigration as a response to the demographic challenges described by the Auditor General.

  • Afghan refugees

    Res.: 12
    Whereas:
    1. The situation of refugees in Pakistan is increasingly precarious;
    2. Conditions necessary for repatriation as a durable or even physically safe solution will not be established in Afghanistan for some time to come;
    3. The level of instability requires a special level of response from all countries that provide humanitarian support and resettlement options for Afghans externally displaced;
    4. The Canadian Government is in a position to respond to the situation of these persons with concrete actions;
    5. A clear response by the Canadian Government will send a strong positive message about Afghan refugees to the Canadian public;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to:

    1. Provide extra financial and human resources to deal with processing in this crisis situation by use of secondment, voluntary temporary assignment or any other creative means;
    2. Identify rapidly, through the major processing posts, a pool of Afghan refugees, especially unaccompanied women and children, in need of resettlement, and to process cases from this pool immediately;
    3. Immediately clear the backlog of Afghan refugee resettlement cases;
    4. Implement a blended sponsorship program to facilitate more private sponsorships of Afghan refugee cases;
    5. Announce publicly the urgent need for these measures and the Government’s commitment to carry them out.

  • Separated children: UNHCR report

    Res.: 17
    Whereas:

    The UNHCR has recently produced a report on the situation of separated refugee children in Canada and has made a series of recommendations to the IRB and to the federal and provincial governments to address the protection needs of these children;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR adopt the UNHCR report and recommendations and call on the IRB and the federal and provincial governments to implement these recommendations.

  • Torture

    Res.: 22
    Whereas:
    1. Following the September 11th tragedy, articles have appeared in mainstream media on the justification of the use of torture under exceptional and emergency conditions;
    2. The use of special drugs (truth serums) is recommended by some enforcement elements against suspected terrorists and this recommendation has been reflected by media;
    3. The Canadian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Convention against Torture through C-11;
    4. Refugees and other uprooted people are more vulnerable to torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatments and punishments;
    5. The level of public education on the scourge of torture is low and CIC and IRB officials need special training on the subject;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the government of Canada to:

    1. Reaffirm its commitment not to use torture under any emergency condition whatsoever;
    2. Work for the prevention and eradication of torture and the prosecution of torturers at the international level;
    3. Reaffirm its commitments to UN principles of medical ethics and assure that no drugs will be used on prisoners or detainees except for the purposes of healing;
    4. Allocate a budget and work with NGOs and specifically the CCR towards organizing public education programs and special education programs for CIC and IRB officials;
    5. Assure that other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments and punishments will not be used in Canadian prisons and detention centres;
    6. Closely collaborate with the UN Committee against Torture with the aim of strengthening the Committee and responding to its concerns;
    7. Increase its financial contributions to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

  • Canadian sovereignty and US security

    Res.: 27
    Whereas:
    1. There are currently negotiations and policy discussions on adopting common security arrangements with the USA;
    2. Canada has a tradition of supporting international law and fundamental human rights (and this tradition may be abandoned in the current context).
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Oppose the creation of a common security perimeter and policy with the United States;
    2. Re-iterate to the Canadian government our support for respecting the fundamental rights of refugees and migrants in accordance with international law and our international human rights obligations without discrimination;
    3. Ask the Canadian government to fully protect Canadian sovereignty in immigration and refugee matters and ensure access for all refugee claimants to the Canadian refugee determination system.

  • Anti-terrorism legislation

    Res.: 32
    Whereas:
    1. Violations of human rights are among the causes of refugee flows in the world;
    2. Promotion of human rights is one of the few tools to prevent refugee flows;
    3. Anti-terrorism legislation in several Western countries including Canada compromises the established emergency basis for limiting human rights in international human rights law;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR oppose the anti-terrorism legislationC-36 and C-42 because of the negative effects that it has had and will have on refugees and immigrants.

  • ISAP services

    Res.: 5
    Whereas:
    1. Immigrants and refugees need and deserve complex social, community and employment services to facilitate effective settlement;
    2. The CCR is deeply concerned about the human tragedy of those immigrants and refugees who do not settle successfully, some ending up trapped in low level employment for which they are far over qualified or on assistance;
    3. There are very limited resources to which settlement clients can be referred to for services meaning that settlement services go well beyond simple information and referral;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge Citizenship and Immigration Canada to undertake a review of the ISAP program, in consultation with service providers, other experts and stakeholders, with the intention of:

    (a) examining what services are needed to help immigrants and refugees settle successfully.

    (b) defining outcomes and standards for those services.

    (c) reviewing reasonable case loads to assure an appropriate level of service.

    (d) significantly raising the level of funding to settlement services in Canada.

  • Liberians in Ghana

    Res.: 10
    Whereas:

    Liberians in the Krisan Zansule camp in Ghana have not been supplied any humanitarian assistance (including food and medical care) by UNHCR since June 2000;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR request the UNHCR to assure that full humanitarian; assistance be resumed to Liberians in Krisan Zansule camp in Ghana;  and failing this, that the CCR ask the Government of Canada to provide protection and a durable solution.

  • People without status

    Res.: 15
    Whereas:

    The CCR has adopted Resolution 12 of May 2001;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Adopt the principal demand of the Comité d’action des sans statut [Action Committee of the People without Status] which calls on the Canadian government to grant automatic landing to those persons refused refugee status who are from one of the five moratorium countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda) three years after they made their refugee claim in Canada. This is a way of regularizing the status of people who currently are without status.
    2. Undertake to advocate for and promote this position to the Canadian government authorities in order to urge them to adopt a policy on the lines of the above demand.

  • Minors in detention

    Res.: 20
    Whereas:
    1. The CCR called in Resolution 20, November 1993 for an end to the detention of refugee children;
    2. Minor refugee claimants continue to be detained in Canada;
    3. In the case of trafficked minors the government justifies such detention on the grounds that detention protects minors from their traffickers and is in the best interests of children;
    4. The CCR recognizes that in certain cases there is a need for the protection of minors but unequivocally opposes the detention of minors as detention is never in the best interests of children;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on CIC, in the case of refugee children in need of such protection, as an alternative to detention, to implement other protection models such as “safe houses.”

  • Transitional measures

    Res.: 25
    Whereas:
    1. A significant number of people refused as Convention Refugees under the present Act may be returning to Canada to make second claims under C-11;
    2. In the past, a high proportion of second claims has been accepted as Convention refugees by the IRB;
    3. C-11 provides for a wider definition of persons needing protection, an appeal on the merits and an improved Pre-Removal Risk Assessment;
    4. There is no article in C-11 dealing with persons refused under the present Act who may be returning to Canada to make a new claim under the enhanced protection provisions of this new Act;
    5. Part 5 of C-11 (Article 201) stipulates that “the Regulations may provide for measures regarding the transition between the former Act and this Act, including measures regarding classes of persons who will be subject in whole or in part to this Act or the former Act....”
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR strongly urge CIC to make provisions in the C-11 Regulations which ensure that persons refused as Convention Refugees under the present Act who return to Canada to make a second claim after C-11 comes into effect will have that claim dealt with as a first claim under C-11.

  • Detention

    Res.: 30
    Whereas:
    1. A number of resolutions, especially Res. 35, June 1994, have raised problems of accountability of immigration officials who abuse the rights of non-citizens in detention;
    2. These problems persist;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR renew its request for the urgent establishment of an independent ombudsperson’s office, for complaints about Immigration practices, especially on detention issues.

  • BC agreement

    Res.: 3
    Whereas:
    1. 50% of federal funding for immigrant services in BC goes into the general coffers of the province and does not go to supporting direct services;
    2. The BC-federal agreement on settlement services will be re-negotiated over the next year;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR bring forward to CIC National Headquarters, in advance of the re-negotiation of the BC-federal agreement on settlement services, the concerns of members over the compromising of service delivery in BC.

  • Newcomers and housing

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:

    The National Housing and Homelessness Network is working to raise awareness of discrimination and human rights violations confronting newcomers and all Canadians seeking quality and affordable housing;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR join the National Housing and Homelessness Network and the Urban Core Support Network to persuade federal, provincial and territorial governments to support the one percent solution which will create quality and affordable housing for all Canadians and that specific amounts of all new funding be identified for housing for newcomers.

  • Timelines for consultation

    Res.: 13
    Whereas:
    1. The government’s document “Building on a Strong Foundation” calls for closer working relationships with partners, and SAHs are key partners in the private sponsorship program;
    2. Current timelines for the completion of concepts such as Private Partner Sponsorship and Corporate Sponsorship do not allow sufficient time for consultation, discussion and input with partners.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR request that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration direct her department to readjust timelines in order to allow for meaningful input from key partners in the development of new operational memoranda, application kits, and training modules.

  • Separated children over 16 years of age

    Res.: 18
    Whereas:

    It has been recognized that the situation of separated refugee children in some provinces (notably Ontario where the largest number of such children arrive) is particularly critical due to the province’s general failure to provide appropriate child welfare services to separated refugee children, and due to the province’s breach of its international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child in defining children to include only those under 16;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on all provincial governments to immediately take responsibility for all children under 18 years in their jurisdiction and in need of protection and care, in accordance with their international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

  • Networking with PEN Canada

    Res.: 23
    Whereas:
    1. Literature has a great impact on public awareness;
    2. There has been inadequate involvement of Canadian writers, poets and people of arts and letters in refugee issues;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR write to Pen Canada with the aim of:

    1. Sensitizing Pen Canada to the plight of refugees in Canada and the need for their support;
    2. Inviting Pen to get involved with the CCR in its educational programs.

  • Gender-based analysis

    Res.: 28
    Whereas:
    1. The Gender Based Analysis Unit of CIC has completed a gender based analysis of C-11;
    2. The analysis has identified areas of potential negative gender impacts;
    3. Bill C-11 requires gender-based reporting to Parliament;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Call on CIC to post the full text of the gender based analysis of Bill C-11, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, on their website;
    2. Request CIC to ensure that the action items identified in the analysis document are implemented;
    3. Request CIC to ensure that the Gender Based Analysis Unit of CIC is provided with adequate resources to carry out the research, data collection and monitoring functions of the unit.

  • Trafficking in women

    Res.: 1
    Whereas:
    1. Victims of trafficking in Canada are in need of services including advocacy;
    2. CCR member organizations are not necessarily sensitized and responsive to these needs;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on its members to sensitize themselves to trafficking issues and consider adapting their services or their mandates, as appropriate, to respond to the needs of those who have been trafficked.

  • Data collection and sharing

    Res.: 33
    Whereas:
    1. CIC officials frequently acknowledge that the Department does not adequately collect and report statistical data on its programs;
    2. There has been an increase in detentions since September 11, 2001, and accurate data has been impossible to obtain to date;
    3. The CCR, the Centre for Refugee Studies, the Maytree Foundation and independent consultants hired by the Immigration Department have attempted repeatedly to obtain data from CIC on the population of refugees in limbo and have been unsuccessful;
    4. Bill C-11 will shortly come into effect and will have a significant impact on detention, refugee determination and the landing process;
    5. Collection and analysis of data are key components of good public policy and democratic accountability;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to:

    1. Develop, in consultation with the CCR, a process for the regular and timely collection and reporting on issues including:
      a) Detention of refugee claimants;
      b) Eligibility determinations and suspensions for eligibility;
      c) Refugees in limbo due to security and identity issues;
    2. Report these statistics to the CCR and the UNHCR by number, length of time, country of origin, gender, age and region in Canada.
    3. Ensure that high standards of confidentiality are respected.

  • Post-Durban

    Res.: 6
    Whereas:

    The CCR participated in the Durban World Conference against Racism (WCAR);

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Call on the government of Canada to advocate for a Durban plus 5 Conference and monitor the progress that has been made since WCAR;
    2. Bring forward refugee and immigrant concerns to any shadow report prepared on Canada for the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) on the progress since WCAR;
    3. Continue to promote the involvement of youth and aboriginal people in CCR anti-racism work;
    4. Continue membership in the National Anti-Racism Coalition (NARC), including serving on the steering committee.

  • Torture in Ethiopia

    Res.: 11
    Whereas:
    1. Large numbers of letters, e-mails and faxes have been received by CCR members alleging torture in Ethiopia by the government and its agencies;
    2. Ethiopia is a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR write and request the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International and the International Red Cross to investigate these allegations.

  • Separated children: jurisdiction

    Res.: 16
    Whereas:
    1. The increasing number of separated refugee children in Canada has drawn attention to the protection gaps existing in Canada, in particular the inconsistent practices regarding care and guardianship of separated refugee children in different provinces;
    2. Canada has obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the federal and provincial governments to immediately resolve the jurisdictional issues and put into place measures that are consistent across Canada to fill the gaps in protection, care and guardianship of these vulnerable children, in accordance with Canada's international obligations.

  • Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC)

    Res.: 21
    Whereas:
    1. In June 2000, CCR called for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and CIC to immediately implement the recommendations in the SIRC report concerning three complaints made by people suffering delays in landing for security reasons, and the responses to CCR by both the Solicitor General and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration noted that “decisions on admissibility rest with CIC”, not with CSIS;
    2. The recommendations of SIRC appear to have had no effective role in modifying CSIS recommendations to CIC in this case;
    3. Although one of these complainants has been responded to positively, the other two cases remain unresolved at the present time;
    4. Bill C-36 greatly expands the ability of Canadian authorities to deem someone a “terrorist” and an organization a “terrorist organization;”
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Call on the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to introduce legislation to expand the authority of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) to review security certificates issued not only against Canadian citizens, but also those issued against permanent residents, Convention refugees and refugee claimants;
    2. Call on the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to instruct her officials that, where SIRC has heard a complaint against CSIS and issued a report, the report be given primacy in the Department’s decisions with regard to admissibility;
    3. Call on the Solicitor General to introduce legislation to expand the authority of SIRC such that SIRC be empowered to review and issue binding reports on the government’s listing of “terrorist organizations” under Bill C-36.

  • Notice of right to legal counsel

    Res.: 26
    Whereas:
    1. Refugee claimants are often not advised by CIC that they have the right to legal counsel at various points in the claimant process;
    2. Failure to advise has caused harm to some claimants;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR request that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration ensure that those in the process of making a refugee claim be clearly advised, without bias, of their right to legal counsel in the refugee process and, where available, be provided with information on the ways to procure legal counsel.