“We’re seeing, unfortunately, a closing of the doors in Canada to refugees,” says Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Controversial changes to Canada’s refugee determination system were implemented last December. A report by the council says the result is that it is failing some claimants, particularly those who have been traumatized by persecution and torture or those who have health problems or disabilities.
Refugee claimants now have less time to prepare themselves for their hearing, notes the report. This causes enormous stress and an inability to prepare adequately. The rules are complex and lead to “significant confusion.” Claimants also face what the council calls a two-tier system whereby, depending on their country of origin, they may have less access to protection.
“Canada…no longer a model”
“Canada, traditionally, has been a country that has a good reputation for welcoming refugees,” says Dench. “But we’re doing less and less to deserve that reputation…We are no longer seen as a model for the rest of the world.”
Hope for change stems from some legal challenges to the designated-country-of-origin provisions on the grounds that they treat asylum-seekers differently, are unfair, and contravene Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Dench also draws comfort from the growing concern she says more and more Canadians are expressing about reduced access for refugees.
“Treating refugees is seen as a hallmark of our country”
“The strongest sign of hope…(is) that people identify treating refugees fairly as one of the hallmarks of our country, as something that is part of our identity. And when we start treating refugees badly then we’re doing damage not just to refugees but to ourselves as a country.”
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