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Letters and submissions to government

  • Bill C-49 punishes victims of smuggling
    In October 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to our local MPs to express concern about a new bill that would crack down on people smuggling by increasing detention of refugee claimants arriving by boat.
  • Employment Equity
    In August, 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote a letter to Prime Minister Harper expressing dismay at the public reasons given for announcing a review of federal employment equity legislation, which suggested that employment equity was excluding qualified applicants from jobs in the federal public service based on grounds of race or ethnicity. We urged the government to take a leadership role in promoting employment equity as a way to address past and present inequities, increasing access to employment by qualified applicants from historically marginalized groups.
  • Bill 210
    In May 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, commenting on proposed amendments to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre expressed concern that refugee protection would be weakened by the proposed timelines, safe country list, and provisions related to humanitarian and compassionate applications.
  • Refugee Reform
    In May 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, commenting on proposed amendments to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre expressed concern that refugee protection would be weakened by the proposed timelines, safe country list, and provisions related to humanitarian and compassionate applications
  • Migrant workers exploited
    In November 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, expressing concerns about the growing exploitation of migrant workers, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report. The Centre urged the Minister to open new channels to permanent status that are equitably accessible by all migrant workers, and to remove eligibility restrictions on federally funded settlement services.
  • Refugees need protection
    In July 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, expressing deep concern about recent policy changes that restrict access to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre urges the Minister to ensure that the Immigration and Refugee Board has the necessary resources and support to accurately and efficiently identify and grant protection to refugees.
  • Anti-Poverty Strategy for Ontario
    In November 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister Deb Matthews, urging the provincial government to fulfill its election promise to release a poverty reduction strategy by the end of the year. The economic downturn threatens to undermine the already fragile economic status of newcomers in Ontario.
  • Newcomers struggle to find fair and meaningful employment
    In October 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre released a participatory research report outlining employment barriers faced by newcomers to Canada. The report urged the government to address the non-recognition of international credentials and experience, and to ensure full enforcement of labour rights for all workers.
  • Refugee determination system undermines newcomer mental health
    In June 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted to the UNHCR a research paper outlining the negative mental health impacts of long delays in refugee determination and family reunification. At the New Life Centre, an innovative community mental health project utilizes the skills of internationally trained psychologists to provide emotional support to vulnerable newcomers.
  • New legislation threatens access to permanent status
    In April 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre presented a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, expressing concerns about proposed changes to immigration legislation that would give wide discretionary powers to the Immigration Minister.
  • Protection for humanitarian workers
    In March 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to the Minister of Public Safety calling for legislative changes to prevent prosecution of humanitarian workers under charges of people smuggling. In 2007, the government broke promises never to prosecute people assisting refugee claimants out of humanitarian motives when they brought charges against US church worker Janet Hinshaw-Smith.
  • Algerian refugee tortured in US
    In September 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day to call for a public review of the case of Benamar Benatta. Canada illegally transferred Benatta to the US, where he was imprisoned and tortured on allegations of terrorism.
  • Safe Third Country Agreement
    In August 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Cabinet, expressing concern about the designation of the United States as a safe third country for refugee claimants. We asked Cabinet to conduct a review of that designation.
  • Refugee Appeal Division
    In August 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Senator Anne C. Cools, asking the Canadian Senate to vote in favour of Bill C-280 and support refugees’ right to an appeal on the merits of their case.
  • Family Reunification Manifesto
    In March 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre signed on to the CCR Family Reunification Manifesto, urging the Canadian government to give priority to speedy family reunification.
  • Armed immigration enforcement officers
    In December 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day, asking him to reconsider his decision to provide side arms to CBSA officials.
  • International migrant’s day
    On December 18, 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote a letter to Minister of Immigration Monte Solberg, asking Canada to sign on to the Migrant Workers Convention and protect the rights of migrant workers, including undocumented workers.
  • Brief: Undocumented immigrants
    In November, 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre prepared a Brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration outlining our concerns at the problems faced by undocumented immigrants in the areas of labour exploitation, denial of services, and inadequate processes for obtaining status.

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