Recent Publications: Refugee Rights

The Church has long been a defender of those who we consider to be the most vulnerable members of society.

Tune into Question Period in the House of Commons and you will periodically hear the words “close the loophole” being thrown around in heated debates concerning refugee claimants. It is a catchphrase used by some Members of Parliament to describe the changes they wish to see in the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). Its usage has become increasingly popular in the House and has yielded headlines across the country. Yet, it remains unclear what supporters of the loophole narrative are trying to propose.

We’re grateful to our supporters and donors, those who have participated in our initiatives and those who have financed them. To those who have asked hard questions, and those who have helped us to answer them. Those who have advocated for change, and to the politicians that made it happen!

Believers are called to not simply welcome refugees, but to love them as God does; to defend, shelter, clothe and feed them.

This Dec. 18 we acknowledge International Migrants Day and reaffirm CPJ’s commitment to standing up for the rights of refugees.

On Dec. 10 and 11, Marrakech, Morocco was host to the Intergovernmental Conference on the Global Compact for Migration, where the majority of United Nations Member States adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Compact outlines a set of 23 objectives to promote international cooperation on global migration.

The ‘immigrant story’ has long been the basis on which Canadians unite to embrace multiculturalism. This narrative presents the idea that families from across the world seek out the True North with hopes of a better future for themselves and their children, a future that is contingent on reaching safety. Yet, the means through which this story of migration becomes fulfilled is often forgotten.

In order to showcase the true value of GBA+ it must be applied throughout the policy development cycle, not as a post-analysis of what could have been done better.

The Canadian government needs to speed the processing for refugee claimants and raise the number of government-sponsored refugees, say advocates. Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) and the Canadian Council for Refugees both argue the level of Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) is too low, and should match that of the Privately Sponsored Refugee program.

It is imperative that the government look ahead and take direct action to assist populations in regions where refugees are fleeing for their lives. By increasing fair trade and directing aid to these countries, perhaps we can limit the need for refugees to leave their countries due to extenuating circumstances.