Federal Election 2008 – OCASI Questions
September 07, 2008
Canada’s 40th General Election has been called for Tuesday, October 14 2008. OCASI is polling leaders of Canada’s four major political parties on issues that are important to immigrant, refugee, and racialized communities in Ontario.
The concerns of these communities are rarely the focus of any election at any level. Our communities are growing steadily and yet continue to be under-reflected or under-represented in any aspect of civic engagement. These questions are intended to inform the federal election agenda regarding immigrant and refugee issues. They were prepared in consultation with OCASI members across the province and reflect the Council’s policy priorities. We encourage you to engage with your local candidates around these concerns.
The questions were sent to leaders of the Conservative Party, Green Party, Liberal Party and New Democratic Party. Responses from the parties will be posted as soon as they are received.
Click here for responses from the Liberal Party of Canada - received on September 14, 2008 .
Click here for responses from the Green Party of Canada - received on September 18, 2008 .
Click here for responses from the New Democratic Party of Canada - received on October 6, 2008 .
For information about the federal elections, including new requirements for voter identification at the polls, please visit the Elections Canada website at www.elections.ca or click here.
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
Questions for Federal Election 2008
Immigrant Settlement and Integration
Investment in the Canada Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), and additional national investment in immigrant settlement have served to support better settlement and integration outcomes for immigrants arriving in Ontario. While COIA was signed in November 2005, it is only now that immigrants are starting to realize its benefits. It is helping to improve access to language training, assist immigrants with immediate and long-term settlement challenges, and address systemic barriers to settlement faced by women, youth and seniors.
1. Will you commit to an annual investment of at least $320 million, the amount allocated to the last year of the five year Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), and sustain at least the current level of national investment in immigrant settlement?
Labour Market Integration
National investment in Labour Market Agreements (LMA) with the provinces have served to improve access to skills training opportunities and labour market integration for those who do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI). The LMA between the governments of Canada and Ontario is worth approximately $1.2 billion over six years. It specifically targets groups under-represented among those eligible for EI, including immigrants. These investments have the potential to support economic integration for immigrants, but only if they are sustained and if the funds are allocated to meet these needs of under-represented groups.
2. Will you commit to sustaining the $1.2 billion over six years investment in the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement, and ensure that those funds are actually allocated to improving the employment situation of immigrants and other under-represented groups?
Immigration
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) became law on 28 June 2002. Since that time, two different governments have failed to implement the Refugee Appeals Division contained in the legislation, despite making a promise that they would do so. The lack of appeal puts Canada at risk of violating the rights of asylum seekers by sending them back to face persecution after an incorrect decision.
Canada is increasingly relying on temporary migrant labour to fill labour market needs. Research by the Alberta Federation of Labour has shown that this has created a vulnerable pool of disposable workers, subject to exploitation by employers. The number of temporary work permits approved by the Canadian government has increased dramatically over the last five years. The new Canadian Experience Class allows only some, but not all temporary foreign workers to apply for permanent resident status.
At the same time the backlog in family sponsorship applications has not been reduced. Applicants from countries in the global south are over-represented among those who face the longest wait times.
These and other systemic barriers in Canada’s immigration legislation, policies and practices have contributed to creating a growing population with less than full resident status. These immigrants are often full participants in our economy and are part of our communities. Because of their precarious status, they have few rights and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
3. What will you do to ensure immediate implementation of the Refugee Appeal Division, as required by the IRPA?
4. What will you do to ensure that all temporary foreign workers in Canada have the immediate opportunity to be eligible for permanent residence status?
5. What will you do to reduce the backlog and delays in processing family sponsorship applications?
6. What will you do to improve the situation of people without status in Canada?
Racialization of Poverty
Recent research and Census data show that immigrants tend to be underemployed, earn less than their Canadian-born counterparts and experience high levels of contingent employment. Immigrants and refugees from racialized communities experience higher levels of poverty than their Canadian-born counterparts. Research also shows that members of racialized communities, including those born in Canada are over-represented among Canada’s poor.
7. How will your party address the problem of the increasing racialization of poverty and high levels of poverty among immigrants, particularly those from racialized communities?
Human Rights
The Anti-Terrorism Act passed in December 2001 has been identified by many groups as having a negative impact on Canadian society. In particular, these groups are concerned that the Act has resulted in increased racial profiling of Muslims and Arabs, more stringent immigration laws, and has had a serious impact on privacy and individual rights and freedoms. Canada’s security-certificate proceedings have been used to arbitrarily detain and deny a fair hearing to individuals subject to this measure, primarily those who are Muslim and Arab.
In 2006, the Government of Canada severely reduced investment in Status of Women Canada, including closing down several offices across the country. While this raises serious questions about Canada's commitment to supporting the full participation and equality of women in Canadian society, the greatest impact has been felt by equity-seeking groups including women from racialized communities and women with disabilities.
The Court Challenges Program (CCP) established in 1994 supported equity-seeking groups to exercise rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The program was cancelled in 2006. The CCP has been frequently cited by the Canadian Government as a demonstration of meeting its commitment under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). A court challenges program was created in June 2008 as the result of a negotiated settlement with minority official-language communities. The new program focuses on linguistic rights. Other groups named in the Charter have no recourse in their efforts to access and enforce their rights.
Early this year, Canada withdrew from supporting and participating in the 2009 Durban Review Conference, including denying support to non-governmental groups to participate. The Conference is organized by the UN Human Rights Council, and is a follow-up to the World Conference Against Racism held in 2001 in Durban, South Africa. This action calls into serious question Canada’s commitment to anti-racism and in meeting its obligations under CERD and other international human rights conventions.
8. What will you do to demonstrate a renewed commitment to human rights and anti-racism?
9. What will you do to ensure that Canada, and civil society representatives such as non-governmental organizations are able to participate effectively at the Durban Review Conference 2009?
If you have questions, or need more information please contact Amy Casipullai, Policy and Public Education Coordinator at acasipullai@ocasi.org