RESOLUTIONS MAY 2008
 

EXECUTIVE 

1. Procedures for lodging a complaint of harassment or discrimination and Process for enquiry and Resolution

WHEREAS:

  1. The CCR is committed to providing in its workplace and meeting spaces an environment free of harassment and discrimination for all its employees, volunteers, executive members, members, conference/consultation/workshop/working group and core group participants, guest speakers, resource persons, observers and all other persons associated with the CCR and its activities;
  2. Any individual or individuals who believe that they have been subjected to harassment or discrimination may wish to initiate a complaint for resolution by the CCR;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT

  1. The CCR membership adopt the “Procedures for lodging a complaint of harassment or discrimination and Process for enquiry and Resolution” approved by the CCR Executive for immediate implementation;
  2. This document replace the Complaints Procedure in the Anti-Racism Policy.

 

IMMIGRATION & SETTLEMENT

2. Canadian Experience Class

WHEREAS:

  1. CIC is considering implementing a new “Canadian Experience” Class;
  2. CIC has indicated that this proposed new class will be restricted to highly skilled workers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR:

  1. Express to CIC that this class be open to all applicants regardless of skill level.
  2. Express to the Quebec government that it should to give temporary foreign workers access to permanent residence class without regard to skill levels.
  3. Formally adopt the position paper prepared for the consultation with CIC on the proposed class as its formal position on the class.

 

3. Children’s ID and Dates of Birth

WHEREAS:

  1. Children’s entitlement to education, protective services, and other supports is determined by age;
  2. Dates of birth on CIC issued documentation are frequently erroneous;
  3. The process for changing such information is cumbersome, onerous, and lengthy, taking time that child do not have;
  4. There are few security implications for altering birth dates for minors;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR request CIC to review the process for changing data on ID documents, with a view to making the process much faster and less difficult for children.

 

4. Temporary Foreign Workers

WHEREAS:

  1. The Temporary Foreign Worker program has greatly expanded;
  2. There have been numerous incidents of worker abuse and exploitation;
  3. When spouses and children accompany Temporary Foreign Workers, there are very limited options for them;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR request CIC:

  1. To stop restricting Temporary Foreign Workers to specific named employers, giving them the same rights to labour mobility as other Canadian workers;
  2. Issue work permits to accompanying spouses and children of Temporary Foreign Workers.

 

OVERSEAS PROTECTION AND SPONSORSHIP

5. Immigration Loans Program

WHEREAS:   

  1. Resettled refugees and dependants abroad of protected persons are required to repay the costs of overseas medical exams, IOM processing charges, and travel costs;
  2. Under IRPA, Canada has made a commitment to resettle refugees who are most in need of protection, many of whom have multiple barriers to their integration;
  3. Repayment of these loans by single mothers, youth, and families further marginalizes and impoverishes these groups, diminishing their capacity to integrate;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR call upon the Governments of Canada and Quebec to absorb the costs of the transportation and overseas medical expenses for resettled refugees and dependants abroad of protected persons, without reducing the total number of resettled refugees.

 

INLAND PROTECTION

6. Paternal consent for children

WHEREAS:

  1. Women who have been accepted as refugees or permanent residents in Canada and who are seeking family reunification with their children overseas are required to produce a signed consent form from the father, or a custody order if the parents have separated;
  2. This creates an unfair burden on women in some cases, especially in cases of domestic violence;
  3. Such demands are leading to delays which, in some cases, compromise the best interests of children affected;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR request that the Canadian Government find alternative solutions, which correct gender imbalance and respect the best interests of the child, in such cases.

 

7. Extradition of refugees

WHEREAS:

  1. The Canadian government has proceeded with extradition requests against Protected Persons, putting them at risk of return to the country where they have a well-founded fear of persecution;
  2. In some cases the extradition request seems to be based on evidence that may be motivated by racism;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR ask the Government of Canada to give full respect to obligations under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention Against Torture, and not to proceed with extradition requests against Protected Persons unless status has been vacated or extradition would be justified under the Conventions.