CARL response on Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Removal Costs (IRPR s. 243)
I write on behalf of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) to provide our submission in response to the consultation notice Canada Gazette Part 1, Volume 157, Number 48, posted on November 27, 2023 with respect to the proposed amendments to the regulations regarding the collection and recovery of removal costs.1 These regulations are presently set out in section 243 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). The proposed regulatory amendments would, inter alia, significantly increase the recovery costs imposed for all removals and introduce additional cost recovery for escorted removals and for detention prior to removal. [...]
CARL Letter to the Minister Regarding Ukraine
Dear Minister, Like the rest of Canada, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers is watching in shock as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. The need for global solidarity and burden-sharing to meet this and other humanitarian crises is, and remains, clear. In less than a week, a million people have been forced to flee Ukraine and cross international borders in search of protection. We are deeply appreciative of the welcome offered by Europe. We are also immensely troubled by the racist treatment of migrants and refugees from Africa, Asia and the Middle East, also looking for a safe [...]
CARL’s Open Letter to PM Justin Trudeau
On 12 October 2021, CARL penned an open letter to PM Trudeau urging that his newly re-elected government take swift action on critical immigration migration and refugee matters, including: The continuing COVID-19 restrictions on refugee claimants at the U.S.-Canada border. The Afghan refugee crisis, including the need for streamlined refugee resettlement measures for those in Afghanistan, as well as the extension of temporary residence permits (TRPs) for Afghans presently in Canada. The reintroduction of Bill C-31 -- draft legislation aimed at establishing an oversight body for the CBSA Read the full letter here.
Read CARL’s Open Letter: Resuming Deportation Violates Public Health Advice
The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (“CARL”) is writing to express our serious alarm at the Canada Border Services Agency’s (“CBSA”) announcement, issued on November 30, 2020, that it will resume removals for all inadmissible foreign nationals in Canada. To our knowledge, this important change was made without prior consultation with external stakeholders and came into force on the day it was announced. [ . . . ] Read more here: CARL's Open Letter on the CBSA's Resumption of Removals
Read CARL’s Submissions to the Independent Civilian Review into the Missing Persons Investigations
Despite policies requiring the provision of services regardless of immigration status, victims and witnesses with precarious or no status fear arrest, detention and removal from Canada if they engage with the Toronto Police Service (TPS). The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) submits that the TPS should adopt and implement a meaningful “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT)4 policy with respect to immigration status. Read more here: CARL Missing Persons Inquiry Submissions, September 30, 2020.
Letter to Honourable David Lametti: Appointment of BIPOC Judges to Canada’s Federal Courts
Thirty-six organisations sign a Letter to Honourable David Lametti, PC, MP Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada regarding the appointment of BIPOC judges to Canada’s federal courts. Read Here. Trente-six organisations signent une lettre à l’honorable David Lametti, CP, député, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada, concernant la nomination des juges du BIPOC aux cours fédérales du Canada. Lisez Ici.
Section 35 (Human Rights) and Article 1F(a) exclusion
Materials: Forthcoming CPD: Ontario is confirmed for 1.2 hr for Substantive Learning. We are confirming CPD credit for BC and Quebec.
CARL’s Submissions on Remote Hearings at the IRB
CARL has prepared two position papers on remote hearings at the IRB. The first paper is entitled "CARL's Position on Resuming Refugee Protection Division (RPD) Processing of Claims". It recommends expanding the file review process and using pre-hearing conferences. It outlines concerns with remote hearings, offers minimum procedural safeguards for those that take place and notes the issues that guidelines for remote hearings should address. Read this paper here. The second paper is entitled "CARL's suggested COVID-19 Practice Notice for Matters Before the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) and the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD)". This document is drafted in [...]
CARL’s Submissions in Response to Proposed Amendment Regarding Removal Costs
Read CARL's submission here in response to the Canada Border Services Agency, Consultation Notice on proposed amendments to the collection and recovery of removal costs.
CARL’s Mandate Letter To The Prime Minister Upon Re-Election
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON KlA 0A2 Via email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, RE: Ministerial mandate letters On behalf of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL), I wish to congratulate your government on its re-election. Two-thirds of Canadians voted for progressive parties who value Canada’s role in welcoming refugees and caring for vulnerable populations. In doing so, they rejected the politics and rhetoric of fear about irregular, but legal, migration. As your government sets its priorities for the upcoming session of Parliament, we [...]