In November 2014 the group “Citizens for Public Justice” (CPJ) wrote an open letter to the Minister of Finance Joe Oliver with respect to the inclusion of new sections to Bill C-585. The CPJ made the point that these provisions would allow provinces to restrict access to social assistance for refugee claimants and others who have not yet been granted permanent residence. The letter stresses the fact that government is implementing policies that worsen people’s health and deny their fundamental human rights.

You can read the entire letter here.

This is from and article by Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Tue Nov. 04, 2014

All refugees in various stages of the asylum process can once again access basic Canadian health care, after the federal government reluctantly agreed to comply with a court-ordered reinstatement.

Canada’s Immigration Minister Chris Alexander stated, “The court’s decision is offside with Canadians’ views on this issue and will cost Canadian taxpayers $4 million more per year. We will continue vigorously to appeal the court’s decision and defend the interests both of Canadian taxpayers and genuine refugees who need and deserve Canada’s protection.”

Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and Justice for Children and Youth, along with two refugee claimants affected by the cuts, had filed a constitutional challenge to the cutting of benefits for refuges. Federal Court Justice Anne Mactavish found the cuts unconstitutional and gave the government four months to reinstate the coverage in place before 2012.

Please read the full article at the following link.

Ottawa restores temporary access to basic health care for all refugees Nov. 4, 2014

Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published in the Toronto Star on Mon Nov 03 2014.

Ottawa has refused to say if it will honour a court-ordered deadline and revise its health-care coverage for refugees in light of Friday’s appeal court dismissal of its request to delay the reinstatement. “Refugees continue to enjoy the same standard of care as Canadians. We’re disappointed with the court’s decision. We’re going to appeal it. We will announce the details of our reaction to that decision shortly,” said Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “They have to have something in place by Wednesday,” said lawyer Lorne Waldman. “If they do not comply with the court order, we will go to court to enforce the order.”

You can read the entire article by choosing the following link.

Ottawa won’t Say Nov 2014

Ashley Chapman has published her report entitled “Private Sponsorship and Public Policy” for Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) in September 2014. The report outlines the situation in Canada of private sponsorship and Churches. In addition she asks two important questions. One is “What policy issues and political trends are of top concern to church-connected SAHs?” The second is, “How do church-connected SAHs engage the federal government about their concerns?” She draws conclusions from discussions with members of the SAH (Sponsorship Agreement Holder) community.

Read the entire study: Private Sponsorship and Public Policy

Originally published in “The Embassy“, and recently published by Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ), Ashley Chapman outlines how the Government has jeopardized private refugee sponsorship. She points to the situation in Syria, and the cuts to health care benefits. She refers to the study completed by CPJ indicating that Churches account for about 72% of all Sponsorship Agreement Holders in Canada. The need for a working relationship with CIC places Sponsorship Agreement Holders in a difficult position, especially when many feel that aspects of the sponsorship program are being co-opted for political—not humanitarian—purposes.

You can read the full article published by Citizens for Public Justice.

In the Western Catholic Reporter dated October 20, 2014, Joe Gunn outlines how the Federal Government has put a “stick in the wheel” of refugee sponsorship. He points to long wait times, loss of health benefits and that the number of Syrian refugees would be 1,300 by the end of the year but the Government will only sponsor 200. He concludes that communication and partnership is the only way forward, but that many SAH’s are reluctant to speak up.

You can read the entire article in the Western Catholic Reporter