Take Action
Working for Change
Settlement services can help individuals and families to overcome barriers to integration and make a new life for themselves in Canada. Some problems, however, require collective solutions. Through our advocacy work, we challenge unjust policies and practices that stand in the way of newcomer settlement and integration. At the same time, we propose and support alternatives that affirm the dignity and potential of newcomers. We believe that sharing our clients’ stories and our frontline experience can help policy makers to better understand the experience of newcomers and make more informed and compassionate decisions.
What you can do:
Stay informed. Pay attention to news reports about immigration issues. Look for alternative sources of information. Talk to newcomers about how they have been affected by immigration policies.
Educate others. Organize a talk or a workshop. Invite both newcomers and advocates to speak. There are many myths and misunderstandings about refugees and immigrants that contribute to prejudice and racism. Education is the first step to change.
Write a letter or visit your MP. Let decision makers know what you think. Share your concerns, and give clear recommendations for change. Newcomers have rights to be respected and contributions to offer Canada.
Participate in advocacy campaigns. Watch this website for information about current campaigns, or visit our advocacy links.
Current Campaigns
Newcomers have many ideas about how to achieve greater justice in the labour market. In 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre partnered with newcomers on a participatory action research project to document newcomer employment experiences and ideas for policy change. Among the key recommendations offered by newcomer research participants were: economic incentives for employers to create jobs for newcomers and new legislation to require and enforce fair and equitable hiring practices. Please use the attached report to bring newcomer concerns and proposals to the attention of your local politicians.
The Mennonite New Life Centre believes that everyone who lives in our city should have a voice in deciding the future of Toronto. That’s why we have endorsed the I Vote Campaign, to call for municipal voting rights for all permanent residents. This idea has the support of Mayor David Miller.
Lend your voice to this campaign. To find out more and sign the petition, visit – www.ivotetoronto.org
The Mennonite New Life Centre believes that we need a plan to reduce poverty and improve the lives of newcomers in Ontario. In December 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre signed the 25 in 5 Declaration. The Declaration puts forth concrete proposals to achieve sustaining employment, livable incomes and strong and supportive communities.
Please join us in making a difference. To sign the declaration, please visit – www.25in5.ca
Wish you were here: Family Reunification Campaign
Refugee and immigrant families are frequently separated for long periods of time, due to policies and practices that block or delay family reunification. The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has decided that it’s time to make the public more aware of the devastating impact of refugee and immigrant family separation and present politicians with forceful recommendations for change. You can participate in this campaign by encouraging your church or community group to sign onto the Family Reunification Manifesto. You can also use CCR’s Family Reunification fact sheets to prepare for a visit to your MP. The fact sheets include clear recommendations for policy change. For more information about the Family Reunification Campaign, visit – www.reunification.ca
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.
