Refugee Day is celebrated in Canada on April 4 every year. This is even more important this year in federal election campaigns, advocates say, as party leaders began introducing their immigration policies.
“In elections, recognize the different patterns of speech that politicians may have. What happens often, during election times, immigrants and refugees often become scapegoats, for the problems that happen in Canada.
Amnesty, and other groups, on Thursday called on federal leaders to safeguard the rights of refugees and immigrants during the federal election. In a public letter, federal leaders were asked to avoid scapegoats and refugees on the campaign, while encouraging protection of refugees’ rights and welcome new immigrants.
“We have to look in the right direction and not listen to any scapegoats for refugees and immigrants,” Riley-Oettl said.
Refugee Festival recognizes the landmark decision of Singh v. Canada, which grants refugees fundamental rights. The decision found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the rights of refugee claimants.
“It is very important to celebrate and recognize that refugees are our neighbors. Refugees have been in Canada for a long time and form the structure of our communities,” said Riley-Oettl.
According to Syed Hussan, executive director of the Alliance for Change of Migrant Workers, the refugee date is a time when refugees and immigrants blame the housing and affordability crisis for the housing and affordability crisis.
“This is an important day to remember immigration, refugees and undocumented people, not part of the housing and affordability crisis, nor is it the cause,” Housen said.
“In the past two years, we have seen governments at all levels say their population increases have led to more expensive homes, which makes no sense. People come from all over the world to come here, sometimes looking for safety and security.”
While federal leaders are gradually starting to reveal their immigration policies, immigration lawyers say measures to reduce immigration have a big boost.
“The reality to remember is that many people are here because there is a need,” said Mario Bellissimo, an immigration lawyer and policy analyst.
“We have to pay attention to political expediency and cater to the rising sentiment of immigration today, especially refugees. It’s very easy to do a broad assessment or we need more or less extensive assessment or a comprehensive assessment, or it’s the number. It’s actually a very complex analysis.”
Liberal leader Mark Carney said he intends to keep the previous cap on the number of permanent residents introduced by Justin Trudeau in October.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said he would introduce further reductions. Poilievre previously said his policy would recognize immigration based on Canadian housing growth.
Hou Shan said Canada needs a national dialogue to relate immigration policies to the housing and affordability crisis.
“There is an idea that we have too many people and not enough houses, which is not correct.”
“Because the focus is on the number of people, the conversation completely disappeared from these people’s rights,” Hou Sen said.
The next federal government needs to withdraw from STCA to Canada: Organizations
The organization calls on the next federal government to withdraw from its third-country agreement with the United States immediately.
“The United States is not a safe country right now, especially for those who are moving, coming to the United States for asylum seeking, they are at risk of being deported, they are at risk of harm and harm. Canada needs to be a safe place where asylum seekers can get safety, not bringing it back to some situation, they will be at risk of harm,” Riley-of said”
Under STCA, those entering Canada from the United States are not eligible to file a refugee claim and will be returned to the United States unless they encounter one of four exceptions. These exceptions include family members, unaccompanied minors, document holders and public interest exceptions.
“The idea is that there shouldn’t be ‘refugee shopping’. That way, you won’t go into the first country, and if you’re rejected, head to the second country looking for asylum,” Housen said.
“It doesn’t make sense. People should have the right to claim asylum in which country they want.”
Riley-Oettle added that Canada needs to work on creating effective visa programs for refugees.
“One thing Canada can do is create a visa program that allows people to come to Canada and have an achievable way to come to Canada as refugees. Especially for families who are divided in conflict.”
