Refugees
They are the “invisible ones” all too often – people forced to flee desperate situations, such as war or political persecution, and come to countries like Canada. Yet even here, fair treatment often eludes refugees. For over a decade CPJ has worked on refugee and immigration policy as part of our commitment to public justice and the biblical call to love our neighbour.
Refugee policies are complicated, require sensitivity, and stir up much emotion. As a result, it is crucial that the public be involved in the development of such policies to provide various viewpoints and options. But with the recent refugee bill public debate was only held during the amendment process, not in the drafting of the legislation. Eventually all parties and many refugee advocacy organizations accepted the amendments, recognizing that there were some improvements, but still cautious about the prospects for future refugee cases. 
Canada has always welcomed people from many different backgrounds through immigration. Newcomers have been instrumental in shaping Canada into the country it is today. However, as the economic goals of immigration take precedence, there are concerns that certain groups, particularly refugees and temporary foreign workers, are not being welcomed. It is time for decision makers to re-evaluate our primary purposes of immigration and the impacts of imminent policy changes. 
While people across the globe celebrated World Refugee Day last Friday, refugee advocates in Canada also celebrated the passage of Bill C-280, which calls for the implementation of a Refugee Appeal Division. The creation of this new appeal mechanism will enhance the integrity of Canada’s refugee determination system. 
In November, Judge Phelan ruled that the Safe Third Country Agreement violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This ruling was good news for refugees and advocates alike, ensuring that refugees would not be turned away in spite of the fact that they had entered Canada through the US. But despite this ruling, the border still remains closed to many refugees at risk of being sent back to dangerous situations. 
The federal court of Canada recently declared that the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the US is unconstitutional. This is great news for refugees and refugee advocates in Canada. The decision also means Canada has the opportunity to take the lead in finding lasting solutions for refugees. 
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