Federal Government Introduces Changes to Refugee System

May 31, 2010 update:
Thank you to everyone who has written to members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration re: Bill C-11. The Standing Committee completed its hearings on May 25. The Presbyterian Church in Canada submitted a brief. Contact Stephen Allen or Katharine Masterton if you would like a copy. Rev. Glynis Williams, director of Action Refugies appeared before the Standing Committee.

During the week of May 31, the Standing Committee will be reviewing Bill C-11 clause by clause. It will then go back to the House of Commons for the third and final reading, likely sometime the week of June 7. If the Bill receives third reading, it then goes to the Senate.

Justice Ministries will provide an update when the Bill goes to the Senate.

Every person present in or coming to Canada seeking asylum is allowed to make a refugee claim. Should some claims be treated differently because of the claimant’s nationality?

Bill C-11 would change how Canada deals with asylum seekers making a claim from within Canada (which is a different process than filing a claim from outside of the country). The Government has proposed these changes to reduce the backlog of unprocessed applications, which is to be commended.

However there are some concerns. A “country of origin” list would be introduced. The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, The Hon. Jason Kenney, has referred to this list as a “safe” country list, without defining what is meant by “safe.” Claimants from a country on that list will be unable to appeal an unfavorable decision.

The bill proposes to speed up the determination process. This could lead to hearings that proceed before a claimant is prepared. Being prepared means that a claimant is adequately represented and that he or she is ready and able to talk about the experiences that led them to seek asylum.

The Government of Canada commendably pledges to increase the number of refugees resettled annually in Canada through overseas sponsorship programs, such as PWS&D’s refugee sponsorship program. This pledge is not a part of Bill C-11, but is contingent on passing the bill, which seems unnecessary. More time and public consultation is needed before Bill C-11 is passed. Detailed information is found in the PDF.