EXECUTIVE 

WHEREAS: Resolutions are to establish policy and should be framed as statements of policy position, not specific actions.  As far as possible, they should state general policies, rather than fact-specific positions. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the resolution on procedures for resolutions be amended at 1b) as follows:

1. Resolutions must first be adopted by a CCR Working Group or by the Executive. Resolutions may be brought forward by representatives of member organizations, or by individual members.  Before the resolution is adopted, designated members of the Working Group or the Executive should endeavour to ensure that the resolution conforms with the following required criteria:

      a) facts are correct;
      b) proposed actions are clear and practicable a policy position is stated;
      c) purpose and effect are clear;
      d) resolution is not repetitive of previously-adopted resolutions;
      e) resolution does not unintentionally contradict previously established CCR policies;
      f) wording is constructive and consistent with CCR goals;
      g) names of the mover, seconder and source Working Group (or Exec) are listed.

2.  PARTICIPATION IN WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

WHEREAS:  

1. Working group members need a secure environment in which to discuss issues;
2. Historical and current practice is that government officials are excluded from working group meetings, but exceptions have been made in particular cases;
3. A clear statement of the policy is needed;

1. The working group meetings are closed to anyone employed by government;
2. Exceptions to this general rule can be made by Working Group chairs, in consultation with Working Group members.

IMMIGRATION & SETTLEMENT

3. ANTI-OPPRESSION ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK

WHEREAS:

1. CIC has developed and implemented a gender-based tool to identify differential impacts of policies, programs and services;
2. IRB has developed and implemented guidelines on gender-related persecution;
3. Gender is only one among many factors of oppression that have a differential impact on refugees and immigrants;
4. CCR believes in and promotes a full, comprehensive and integrated anti-oppression framework of analysis that includes race, gender (including gender identity and expression), class, ability, sexuality (including sexual orientation), ethnicity, religion, age, nationality and immigration status;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR:

1. Urge CIC and the IRB to work with CCR to:
1. expand their existing gender-based tools and guidelines to a full, comprehensive and integrated anti-oppression framework of analysis and apply it to policies, programs and services;
2. Conduct training for their staff;
2. Urge CIC and IRB to report periodically on the use of the tool, guidelines and training programs.

4.  RIGHT TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

WHEREAS:

1. Emphasis on temporary rather than permanent migration creates a class of vulnerable and disposable workers;
2. Canada’s immigration program should be revised to ensure that those who are able and willing to fill labour market needs can qualify as immigrants;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR demand that all those with temporary work permits, in all the different classes, have the right to apply for permanent resident status at the same time as they apply for the work permit, and should have the right to bring family members as is currently being done in Ontario for the Provincial Nominee Program.

5.  DEATH OF MR DZIEKANSKI

WHEREAS:

1. The death of Mr. Dziekanski, a Polish immigrant in Canada on October 14, 2007 at Vancouver International Airport after being hit by an RCMP taser has shocked many Canadians and has damaged Canada’s reputation globally as a civil and human right pioneer;
2. At least 17 people have so far died in Canada following the use of tasers by police;
3. The use of taser guns and other electric-shock devices is subject to abuse and these weapons have the capacity to inflict multiple and prolonged shocks;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR write to the appropriate authorities, protesting against the death of Mr. Dziekanski and call for the following measures:

1. Systemic and ongoing education and training for police and other enforcement officers on human rights, non-discrimination and against torture and other inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment;
2. Improved services at all points of entry and immediate changes in the way officials deal with international travellers so that they feel welcomed and protected and feel safe.

OVERSEAS PROTECTION AND SPONSORSHIP

6.  CANADA’S GLOBAL RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM

WHEREAS Canada is directing resources to its group processing initiatives at the expense of its global program for refugees seeking protection through resettlement;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR urge the Canadian government to commit to maintain global access to resettlement and increase the resources to make that access effective.

7.  IRAQI REFUGEE CRISIS: CALL FOR INCREASED CANADIAN RESPONSE

WHEREAS:

1. The situation created by the massive numbers of persons who have fled Iraq to neighbouring countries is putting heavy strain on the infrastructures of these countries and is threatening to destabilize them to the extent that they will be unable to accommodate the refugees already there and those arriving;
2. The international response from Canada and other members of the international community has not reflected the gravity of the need for intervention, especially through comprehensive approaches to supporting the host countries, with donations of bilateral aid and other assistance to sustain protection and local integration;
3. There are Canadians, including Iraqi Canadians, who want to respond with offers of resettlement to Iraqi refugees;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR call on the Canadian government to:

1. Provide increased bilateral and multilateral support to Syria, Jordan and other neighbouring countries in the region that are hosting over two million Iraqi refugees.
2. Urge the governments in the region to keep their borders open to Iraqi refugees seeking asylum.
3. Increase overall resettlement targets (for both government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees) so that there can be a significant increase in numbers of Iraqi refugees resettled to Canada, without reducing the number of refugees resettled from other regions.
4. Expedite the processing of Iraqi refugees being resettled to Canada, including the security checks.
5. Educate the Canadian public about the needs of Iraqi refugees and promote the involvement of Canadians in the private sponsorship of Iraqi refugees.
6. Respond positively to UNHCR referrals for resettlement of Palestinian refugees in the border camps between Iraq and Syria.
7. Press other countries not to forcibly return Iraqis to their country of origin.
8. Allocate additional resources to the Damascus mission to ensure that the processing of refugees is not negatively affected by the expediting of family class applications.

INLAND PROTECTION

8.  WAR RESISTERS

WHEREAS:

1. US Military personnel (War Resisters) have come to Canada seeking protected person status based on their deeply held political and moral convictions opposing the US-led War in Iraq;
2. There is evidence that US military War Resisters who have spoken out publicly from within the United States about their opposition to the war in Iraq have experienced differential and more severe punishment by the US military than US military personnel who have gone AWOL but who have not publicly opposed the war;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR:

1. Express support for all War Resisters from any country who refuse to engage in armed conflict that is contrary to international humanitarian law;
2. Recommend to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration that they should be allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, if they are facing removal to a country where they would face punishment for their refusal to participate in such an armed conflict;
3. Urge the IRB to provide War Resisters with fair, impartial and politically unmotivated hearings.

9.  REFUGEES WITH HIV/AIDS OR TERMINAL ILLNESSES

WHEREAS:    

1. Refugees and other uprooted people who have HIV/AIDS or terminal illnesses are struggling with multiple complex issues with a sense of urgency;
2. Refugees and other uprooted people who live with HIV/AIDS or suffer from terminal illnesses lack family support in Canada, which is crucial to their wellbeing and support for children in the case of their death;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCR advocate for:

1. Fast-track processing of the refugee claims of people living with HIV/AIDS or a terminal illness;
2. Fast-track attempts to reunite family members of those who live with HIV/AIDS or suffer from a terminal illness and Temporary Residence Permits to be provided to their relatives where sponsorship is not an option.

10. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD

WHEREAS:

1. There are serious problems with the understanding and application of the notion of “Best Interests of the Child” by CIC officials;
2. The practice with regard to “ Best Interest of the Child” has strayed far from the “substantial weight” required by the Supreme Court in Baker and the “primary consideration” mandated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.