Canadian Council for Refugees E-Chronicle, Vol. 11 no. 2, 15 June 2016

CCR Chronicle

Canadian Council for Refugees E-Chronicle
Vol. 11 #2, 15 June 2016

In this issue:

-----
  1. World Refugee Day: June 20th, 2016

June 20, 2016, World Refugee Day, is fast approaching and, this year, you can show your support for refugees in a number of ways:

Take action with the Refugees Welcome Here campaign 

Amnesty International Canada (English and French speaking) and the CCR are leading a public awareness campaign to make Canada more welcoming towards refugees. The campaign’s key messages call for:

  • more refugees,
  • more fairness for refugees
  • more welcoming communities
Refugee protection is enjoying a renaissance in Canada, with the generous response of people across the country to the dire situation of Syrian refugees. But more needs to be done. 

For tips and resources, go to: ccrweb.ca/en/refugees-welcome-here
For suggestions about how to take action, go to: amnesty.ca/campaigns/refugeeswelcomehere

Tell the world that you're proud to protect refugee rights
Planning an event or activity? Stock up on buttons, stickers, posters and more to show you are Proud to Protect Refugees and to change the conversation about refugees in your community.

Place an order today at:
ccrweb.ca/en/resource-order-form

Become a friend of the CCR in honor of World Refugee Day 2016:
The Friends of the CCR monthly donor program is an important and sustainable way to support the CCR's work to ensure that refugee and newcomer rights are protected in Canada.

Become a friend of the CCR today by visiting:
ccrweb.ca/en/friends-ccr
*Already a friend of the CCR? Consider increasing your monthly contribution in honor of World Refugee Day.
 

  1. CCR holds successful national meeting on migrant worker issues in Saskatoon

On June 5 the CCR brought together migrant workers, advocates for migrant justice and labour activists at a full day meeting on migrant worker issues in Saskatoon.


Participants came from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island to discuss the challenges facing migrant workers, share strategies for individual and collective advocacy, and make connections for future collaboration in the struggle for migrant worker rights in Canada. Participants from out of province were able to learn about the Saskatchewan government's legislative steps to protect the rights of migrant workers, and discuss how to engage with the federal government effectively. The opportunity to meet face to face with others working on similar issues was appreciated by those in attendance.

CCR calls on government to prioritize migrants' rights in review of Temporary Foreign Worker Program

In light of the current review by the federal government of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the CCR has called on the government to prioritize the rights of migrant workers in the review, and has made a submission to the parliamentary committee reviewing the program, outlining key recommendations for the government to consider.

Read the submission here:  http://ccrweb.ca/en/submission-TFWP-review

  1. Successful CCR 2016 Spring Consultation in Saskatoon

The CCR's 2016 Spring Consultation in Saskatoon was a great success and brought together approximately 300 people from across Canada to address issues affecting refugees, vulnerable groups of migrants, and newcomer settlement.

Two resolutions were adopted by the members at the concluding General Meeting (on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and on medical inadmissibility):
ccrweb.ca/en/resolutions-jun-2016

  1. Call for resettlement plan reflecting equity for all regions

At a time when the numbers of people forcibly displaced worldwide are reaching record levels, the renewed warmth of Canada’s response to refugees is a much-needed sign of hope.

The CCR urges the Government of Canada to uphold the principles of fairness and equity in responding to refugees around the world. The CCR commends the government for significantly increasing the immigration targets for refugees and for the mass resettlement of Syrian refugees. In the interests of justice, this needs to be complemented by a commitment to eliminate the backlogs in Africa and other regions, within a clear timeline.

The CCR is ready and willing, along with the private sponsoring community, to assist in developing a new plan to achieve balance between refugee populations.

We believe that such a plan is needed in order to reflect Canadians’ solidarity to all refugees, without discrimination.

Read more at:
ccrweb.ca/en/call-resettlement-plan-reflecting-equity-all-regions

 

Join the CCR

By joining the CCR, your organization will become part of a vibrant and dynamic national network of over 170 organizations committed to refugee and migrant rights and the integration of newcomers.

Not with an organization? Individuals can join as Associate Members.

* Membership is not open to members of government or to members of the media 

To find out more on how to become a member of the CCR, please visit:
ccrweb.ca/en/join

Upcoming Meetings

Summer Working Group Meetings
9 - 10 September 2016
Montreal

CCR Fall Consultation
24 - 26 November 2016
Montreal