Seven Keys to Protecting and Welcoming Refugees and Newcomers: A vision for Canada

From the Canadian Council for Refugees.
Traditionally a leader in welcoming refugees and other newcomers, Canada can and must renew its efforts to protect their rights. This means acting in seven key areas:

1. Making status in Canada secure
This means:

• Making pathways to permanent residence open to all, including:
  • migrant workers
  • persons who have been trafficked
• Permanent residence for sponsored spouses is unconditional
• Access to Canadian citizenship

2. A broad, inclusive and effective refugee resettlement program
This means:

• The government resettles a significant number of refugees to Canada
  • particularly the most vulnerable
  • from around the globe
  • without discrimination
• The private sponsorship of refugees is quick and simple, and respects the principles of additionality and naming

3. Access to protection
This means:

• Opportunities for refugees to reach Canada
• A fair refugee determination system, without discrimination
• Effective protection for trafficked persons without permanent status
• Adequate support for refugee claimants and trafficked persons
• Adequate protection in the immigration system for women in situations of violence

4. Speedy family reunification
This means:

• Express entry family reunification
  • where children are reunited with their parents in 6 months or less
• The definition of family member is broad and inclusive
  • reinstating the previous age of dependants
  • eliminating the ‘excluded family member’ rule
• Government makes family reunification a top priority

5. Rights and dignity for all
This means:

• Access to essential healthcare
• Access to Canada’s social safety net
• Protection from exploitation for migrant workers
• Immigration detention is reduced to a minimum
  • respect for non-citizens’ fundamental right to liberty

6. Accountable immigration enforcement
This means:

• An independent and effective complaints and monitoring mechanism oversees Canada’s border agency (CBSA)

7. Welcoming communities
This means:

• By words and actions, governments and civil society show they
  are proud to protect refugees
• Governments and civil society honour and celebrate the
  contributions of newcomers