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Election 2011 Canadian Refugee Policy: Looking Back, Looking Forward

For the last several years, changes to a refugee system described as ‘broken’ have been an important priority. With the current election and the potential changes it could bring, what better time to consider what all these ‘reforms’ have meant for refugee policy – and refugees – in Canada? Read more »

Supreme Court refuses to hear Safe Third Country case

On February 5, a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court of Canada rejected an appeal application that sought to have the Safe Third Country Agreement deemed unconstitutional. The appeal came from the Canadian Council for Refugees, the Canadian Council of Churches and Amnesty International, who were appealing a Federal Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the STCA. Read more »

Safety and Dignity for Refugees in Canada

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. Read more »

A hopeful step

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. Read more »

Outlawed? Compassion for refugees

Janet Hinshaw-Thomas was arrested under a law meant to detain smugglers and traffickers. Her actions, however, were far from criminal activity; she was simply showing compassion to Haitian refugees. Canada’s current focus on border security and safety has thrown the baby out with the bathwater: it has not ensured refugee safety but rather is hindering it. Canada must address these issues in order to provide a safe haven for refugees. Read more »

Dismantling the Safe Third Country Agreement

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. Read more »

Stories of Exile and Asylum

Tim Wichert's review of Refugee Sandwich: Stories of Exile and Asylum by Peter Showler. Read more »

Singh to Suresh: Non-Citizens, the Canadian Courts and Human Rights Obligations

Jack Costello's review of Singh to Suresh: Non-Citizens, the Canadian Courts and Human Rights Obligations by Tom Clark. Read more »

Out of sight – Out of mind: Refugees in situations of protracted limbo

The world is full of forgotten people. Out of media and public attention, forgotten people live far below the minimum human standards, as a result of poverty, armed conflict, natural disaster, or environmental degradation – themselves inter-connected. Read more »

Group Processing of Refugees

CPJ submitted its views on “Group Processing” of refugees for resettlement in Canada in response to a request from the office of the minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Read more »

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