The problem of long processing times for refugees to Canada will be fixed by 2019, promises Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen. A survey by Christian think tank Citizens For Public Justice reveals that 97 per cent of the agencies who bring privately-sponsored refugees to Canada are concerned about processing times.
Do you think Canada has done what it should to assist refugees? “Definitely not yet,” seems to be the reply of people directly involved in the private sponsorship of refugees across this country. A review of the perspectives of Sponsorship Agreement Holders, or SAHs, was carried out by Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) and released in mid-April. (SAHs are…
When Janet’s Ottawa-based sponsoring group decided to sponsor a Syrian family in 2015, they expected a swift resettlement process. “At the time, there was a lot of momentum and enthusiasm”, she said, as many of the group’s members were keen on supporting Syrian refugees at the cusp of the crisis in 2015. Now, however, it…
Des délais interminables et qui continuent de s’allonger, une priorité donnée aux réfugiés syriens que certains trouvent injuste… Un nouveau rapport met le doigt sur les lacunes du programme canadien de parrainage privé, d’après un sondage réalisé auprès des parrains, qu’ils soient des organismes communautaires, des églises ou des groupes de cinq.
The federal government needs to allocate more resources to reduce wait times for privately sponsored refugees, especially those coming from places other than Syria, a new survey says. The report was commissioned by Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ), an Ottawa-based Christian charity that tries to influence public policy debates on a number of issues, including…
Many Canadians now know what it means to sponsor refugees, thanks to Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSRP). The opportunity for civil participation in refugee resettlement is a core part of Canada’s overall refugee policy. Canadians, mostly in small groups, supported the PSRP overwhelmingly in 2015. Private sponsorship involves Canadian residents financially and emotionally…
As people of faith, called to care for those most vulnerable, we want to see a budget that is grounded in strong social commitments that address urgent needs and set out long-term commitments to improving lives. So, is this government paying attention to people in need?
Canadians can be proud that our country facilitated the entry of so many Syrian refugees in 2015-2016. Yet, there is no reason to assume that the system is perfect or perfectly fair. An engaged society and culture can continue to improve our capacity to assist vulnerable asylum-seekers. Given the massive human need we are invited to confront,…
Aside from palliative care, the federal budget received tepid reviews from a couple of think tanks dedicated to Christian social teaching. “With Budget 2017, Finance Minister Bill Morneau has made tentative financial commitments to key priorities identified in their consultations on housing and climate change, though not on international development,” said Citizens for Public Justice’s executive director…
OK, how would you respond? You’ve just been asked for advice on how to end poverty in your community. What can you suggest? CPJ has endeavoured to simplify the process, making it easier for you to share your concerns and ideas with government in just a few minutes. No poverty plan will be immediately perfect, all-encompassing, or successful. But…