Public statement

On International Women’s Day, the CCR reflects on the situation of newcomer women in Canada, and on opportunities for improvements in the coming years.

The CCR welcomes the announcement by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum that the government will soon follow through on its campaign promise to repeal conditional permanent residence. Since its implementation in 2012, this measure has made sponsored spouses, particularly women, more vulnerable to abuse and has forced some to remain in abusive relationships in order to avoid losing status in Canada.

The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the announcement by the federal government of a Syrian Family Links initiative, designed to connect Syrian refugees who have family in Canada with Canadian private sponsors seeking to identify refugees in need of resettlement.

The Canadian Council for Refugees welcomes the outpouring of warmth and hospitality towards Syrian refugees demonstrated by countless Canadians, including by offers of private sponsorship.

At the same time the new federal government has made refugees a priority, as shown by their undertakings to resettle Syrian refugees and the inclusion of refugees in the title of the Minister and his department (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship). Provincial and municipal governments have also shown leadership in their welcome of refugees.

The CCR joins in the global outrage at the recent mass murders in Paris and Beirut. The loss of life and shattering of our sense of security connects us to the daily death and destruction in Syria and in other countries at war. We hope that Canadians will remember that Syrian refugees are victims of this violence and will redouble their commitment to welcome them in Canada.

We are dismayed by some public statements unfairly associating refugees with security risks. We would like to point out the following:

16 November, 2015

We are pleased to announce that we have received two new donations to the CCR Endowment Fund totalling $ 25,000. Gifts to the Endowment Fund sustain the long-term future of the work of the Canadian Council for Refugees.

Both donors generously chose to give to the CCR Endowment Fund after receiving a legacy. One of the donors, a long-time CCR supporter and Friend, wanted to share a personal account of why it was important to her to share this gift and to contribute to the future of the CCR in this way.

23 October 2015

Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Designate

Dear Mr Trudeau,

On behalf of the Executive Committee and members of the Canadian Council for Refugees, we congratulate you and your colleagues as you form the next government of Canada.

The Canadian Council for Refugees has established a Syrian Refugee Support Fund to help support the settlement of Syrian refugees in Canada.

The Fund was initiated by the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliates, who asked the CCR to manage funds to support Syrian refugees in Canada.

The Canadian Council for Refugees is deeply concerned at the rise of intolerance towards Muslims in Canada and calls on political, community and faith leaders to take strong, positive action in response.

1. The CCR welcomes the recommendations of the jury, which identify numerous important steps that need to be taken to protect the rights and dignity of persons detained under Canada’s immigration legislation. The CCR supports most of the recommendations.
2. Liberty is a fundamental right and can only be taken away in limited, legally prescribed circumstances. Detention under immigration legislation should therefore only be used as a last resort and after alternatives to detention have been explored.

November 18, 2014

The Honourable Joe Oliver, MP, PC
Minister of Finance
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

Open Letter: Budget Bill Restricts Access to Social Assistance for Refugee Claimants

Dear Minister,