Deborah Mebude is CPJ's interim Communications Coordinator.
Political pressure is mounting as refugee claimants continue to face barriers to protection at the Canada-U.S. border. With our latest report, Reclaiming Protection, CPJ amplifies the call for an overhaul to the Safe Third Country Agreement. As the countdown has begun to the 2019 Federal election, it’s useful to take a deeper look at exactly what the major parties are saying about the issue, and why.
By Dennis Gruending
At CPJ’s AGM in Toronto on May 31, contributors to Joe Gunn’s new book spoke about the successes, and limits, of Christian political engagement. Gunn interviewed ten Canadian Christians who he considers “role models in the pursuit of public justice.”
Can you imagine escaping a dangerous situation and finally beginning a new life in Canada… but doing so with $10,000 in debt, before you even started language classes or enrolled your children in school? For more than two decades, Canada was the only country in the world to charge refugees interest on their travel loans. For a nation claiming to welcome refugees, this sent mixed messages.
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began his term in office by welcoming Syrian newcomers at the Toronto Pearson Airport, Donald Trump kicked off his presidency with three executive orders pushing for expedited deportations and strengthened immigration enforcement. When it comes to immigration and refugee policy, Canada and the United States seem to be increasingly at odds.
From The Catalyst Summer 2015 Submit your letters to Brad Wassink, at ac.jpc@darb or 309 Cooper Street, #501, Ottawa, ON K2P 0G5. God’s Call to Reconcile God’s focus in the world (or mission, if we use church-y words) is all about reforming and restoring relationships. This work is primarily done through God’s communal life (the Trinity)…
Chandra Pasma’s review of The Art of the Possible: A handbook for political activism by Amanda Sussman.
