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To: Primer Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed D. Hussen

Give Refugees and Immigrants Funding for Justice

We ask that you increase legal aid funding for refugee and immigrant claims immediately.

Why is this important?

We are extremely troubled by the recent news that new cases for immigrant and refugee legal aid are being suspended due to lack of funding [1]. Canadians made it clear in the last federal election that they welcome immigrants and refugees into our society. Indeed during the Syrian refugee crisis many Canadians opened their homes, and volunteered to help our new neighbours get settled and feel welcomed, and continue to work to do so.

We therefore need to have the supports in place to make sure New Comers have the services they need to thrive, including legal representation. Many of the cases seen by Legal Services Society are immigrant and refugee women who can be trapped in abusive relationships due to immigration status. As Canada has committed to ending violence against women, not supporting these women is unacceptable.

Being born in Canada does not give a person anymore right to safety than another human being, and this includes legal aid. For refugees, having legal counsel is critical, as they only have one chance to present their case [2].

Further, as climate change worsens social conditions and conflicts, and rising sea levels spur mass migration, Canada will only see more immigrants and asylum seekers [3]; therefore, we need more funding to help our fellow global citizens.

1]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-legal-aid-suspends-immigration-and-refugee-services-due-to-lack-of-funding-1.4181352
2]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/legal-aid-pressures-asylum-seekers-1.4009839
3]https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/BC%20Office/2014/11/ccpa-bc_ClimateMigration_web.pdf

Category

Updates

2017-08-14 12:19:12 -0400

25 signatures reached

2017-06-30 02:45:27 -0400

10 signatures reached