Getting started on the writing of my piece this month was difficult. I couldn’t land on themes I wanted to explore, information or opinions I wanted to share or even random thoughts. It took me a while to realize that I couldn’t focus on one or two things because there is so much going on - so much noise, so much news, so much discord, too many deaths. It all feels heavy and urgent and complex.
[La version française se trouve plus loin]
A countless number of residents are without immigration status in Canada. The Canadian immigration and refugee system has clearly failed the many people who have become or been made to be undocumented, for a multitude of reasons.
LASI and OCASI Statement on the death of Abdirahman Abdi
[La version française se trouve plus loin.]
Ottawa/July 28, 2016 - Local Agencies Serving Immigrants (LASI) – Ottawa and OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants are deeply concerned and saddened by the death of Abdirahman Abdi.
The Honorable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
269 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0P8 Canada
July 15, 2016
Dear Minister Goodale,
Re: Immigration Detainees on Hunger Strike
OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants is writing to ask that you meet with the more than 60 immigration detainees presently on hunger strike at two Ontario prisons.
There are two initiatives that have been my focus for the past few weeks that I want to share with you. While the links between the two may not be casually apparent, they are related as both their goals are about change – attitudinal and systems change.