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Annual status report on refugees and immigrants. Canadian Council for Refugees November 2004. Overview of how federal government addressed refugee and immigration issues. From the perspective of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR). From November 2003 to October 2004. On the positive side
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Annual status report on refugees and immigrants Canadian Council for Refugees November 2004
Overview of how federal government addressed refugee and immigration issues. • From the perspective of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR). • From November 2003 to October 2004.
On the positive side group processing more special needs refugees leadership role internationally On the negative side long processing delays for privately sponsored refugees 60/40 split puts limits on resettled refugees (and family class) Money and targets for government-assisted refugees reduced RESETTLING REFUGEES
On the positive side IRB appointments process reformed Suspension of removals to Haiti Protection of North Koreans in Canadian embassy in Beijing. PRRA transferred back to CIC. On the negative side National security policy links refugees with security threats. “Refugee reform” focuses on rights restrictions. Non-implementation of Refugee Appeal Division. PROTECTING REFUGEES
More on negative side violation of sanctuary; false claims re. avenues of appeal BC withdrawal from legal aid; no solution from fed. gov’t security certificate used to seek to deport to risk of torture moving towards safe third country Videoconference hearings at IRB “Direct backs” leading to detention in US of claimants No measures to protect interdicted refugees PROTECTING REFUGEES
On the positive side increased numbers of refugee family members to Canada “one year window” assisted over 150 family members some (limited) change to exclusionary Family Class definition On the negative side long processing delays for refugee family members family separation through deportation no avenue for family reunification for separated children UNITING FAMILIES
On the positive side increasing newcomer access to employment is government priority cap on travel loans for refugees On the negative side government has been linking newcomers to terrorism no movement on status for non-status people in Canada refugee claimants still ineligible for settlement services INTEGRATING NEWCOMERS
On the positive side back to 2 ministers signing security certificates regulation of consultants changes for better protection of unaccompanied minors facing removal On the negative side detention of claimants on ID grounds racial profiling - no apology for Operation Thread unfair treatment of people found inadmissible on security grounds. RESPECTING CIVIL RIGHTS
On the positive side increased awareness re. detention of minors CIC issued procedural guidelines for responding to minor claimants On the negative side continued detention of minors, including unaccompanied no national policy for separated children “best interests” principle often misapplied in H&C decisions BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN
On the positive side gov’t commitment to protect against trafficking in persons On the negative side no commitment to protect trafficked persons (often women) no gender-based analysis of impact of Act GENDER EQUALITY