Global News: Future changes to STCA
Global News covered a rally to suspend Canadian laws that hurt the Canadian immigration system. Canada has a strong reputation for humanitarian programs and policies. The current Liberal government has made positive changes on many fronts. Unfortunately, the recent amendments to expand the STCA, done in secret, have seriously eroded the confidence in the Liberal government.
Dozens of people headed to Winnipeg’s Central Park on Monday, joining a rally in support of repealing a years-old agreement between Canada and the United States.
The Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S. which came into effect in 2004, was created under the need to better manage the refugee system in each country. According to the Canadian government, the agreement makes that easier to manage by making it a requirement for refugees to request asylum in the country they first land in. That means that when someone lands in Canada, asylum cannot be requested in the U.S., and vice versa – even if the initial request is denied.
“(The agreement) takes back Canada’s commitment to refugees and makes Canada (go back) on its obligations to protect the rights of refugees,” said Abdikheir Ahmed, a member of the Immigration Matters in Canada Coalition. “The rally demands the government of Canada suspends the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States.”
CIL firmly supports the expansion of Canadian immigration laws and policies which support the humanitarian efforts of people who are coming to Canada. The Liberal government was elected on that platform.
Currently, the state of refugee protection in Canada has been eroding. It is not clear whether the current government is going to focus on public policies and focused programs to help the labour shortages or if they are going to take a broad, systemic approach at comprehensive reform.
As reported by Global News:
“I know how being a refugee is. It’s very difficult. I’m here to share my story,” said Mohammed. “The government needs to do something about it, because refugees are also human.”
Speaking to reporters last week, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said that Canada will continue to remain a world leader in resettling some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
We recognize that Canada remains a world leader; however, we also urge the government to do more.
