General Immigration Policy

Background Documents

 

OCASI encourages governments to adopt an enlightened and humanitarian immigration policy. OCASI has stressed that family reunification and refugee protection must be the major priorities in immigration policy.

OCASI has worked to make the official government policy that family reunification is the "cornerstone of our immigration policy" a reality.

OCASI continues to respond to unfair policies of the federal government regarding the treatment of refugee claimants. OCASI strongly opposes any violation of their fundamental rights. OCASI works jointly with other organizations to ensure that the rights of refugee claimants to a fair determination policy and supportive re-settlement services are recognized.

Related Updates

OCASI Discussion Paper - Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA): Crafting the vision for the sector
This Discussion Paper identifies key questions and concerns about the future of COIA and gives a brief history of settlement funding in Ontario.
July 10, 2009

OCASI Calls for a Thorough Reform of the Live-In Caregivers Program
In the context of the current media attention given to these matters the Council renews its call for the effective protection of live-in caregivers’ rights. We reiterate our call for a fairer, faster path for them to access permanent resident status.
May 12, 2009

OCASI comments on the Canadian Experience Class Program
On August 12th, 2008 Minister Diane Finley announced the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a new program which will allow international students and certain types of temporary foreign workers to apply for permanent residence within Canada.
August 14, 2008

OCASI comments on CIC's consultation on the new process for the selection of immigrants
On Thursday, July 3rd, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) Diane Finley announced a series of cross-Canada stakeholder consultations on the implementation of recently adopted amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
July 18, 2008

OCASI deputation on changes to IRPA under Bill C-50
On Monday, May 12th OCASI appeared as a witness before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to speak about Part 6 (IRPA amendments) of Bill C-50.
May 15, 2008

Federal Government Proposes Changes to IRPA
On Friday, March 14th the Federal Government tabled changes to IRPA as part of the federal budget (Bill C-50). These changes would give the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration the power to narrow processing of immigration applications.
March 25, 2008

Priorities for the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Immigration
Remarks by Debbie Douglas at Forum on Canada-Ontario Agreement on Immigration and Learning on March 28, Toronto
April 13, 2006

Migration Dialogue Conference - OCASI Presentation
Speaking notes for Debbie Douglas in the Immigration and Integration Issues in Canada workshop on May 12, 2005.
July 29, 2005

CIC Permanent Residence Application Kits Consultation
OCASI organized CIC Consultations that were held in Toronto recently.
July 20, 2005

Amendment to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Secretariat on Regulating Immigration Consultants proposes amendments to better protect immigrants from unscrupulous consultants.
July 12, 2005

Impacts on children of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Canadian Council for Refugees released a report, Impacts on children of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, documenting how the best interests of some refugee and immigrant children are not protected by IRPA.
July 12, 2005

Letter to the Editor - The Conservatives and Immigration
OCASI finds Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper's proposal to address barriers to accreditation simplistic at best, and deceitful at worst.
July 12, 2005

National Identity Card
OCASI Submission to the Parliamentary Standing committee on Citizenship and Immigration on February 10, 2003.
July 12, 2005

OCASI Responds to CIC Report on Immigration Consultants
The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) welcomes the Report on Regulating Immigration Consultants, released today by the Advisory Committee of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
July 12, 2005

OCASI Response to Minister Coderre's IRB Overhaul Proposal
Open Letter to Hon. Denis Coderre Regarding Immigration and Refugee Board Proposal.
July 12, 2005

Regulating Immigration Consultants – Update and Consultation Session
On November 4, 2004 at the OCASI office Policy Analysts from the Secretariat on Regulating Immigration Consultants met with representatives from OCASI member agencies to provide an update on the Secretariat's progress.
July 12, 2005

Settlement Programs
OCASI submission to the Parliamentary Standing committee on Citizenship and Immigration on February 10, 2003.
July 12, 2005

OCASI Comments on Provincial Nominee Program
OCASI submission to the Parliamentary Standing committee on Citizenship and Immigration on February 10, 2003.
July 11, 2005

OCASI Offers a Qualified Support for Coderre’s Regulation Changes
The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) supports the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Denis Coderre in his attempt to make the proposed immigration system fair and equitable.
July 11, 2005