Toronto / April 4, 2025 - Today is the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Supreme Court ‘Singh Decision’ .
In this decision the Supreme Court found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental rights of refugees. The Court decided that ‘everyone’ includes refugee claimants in the sentence: ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.’
Amid rising xenophobia, political polarization, and tightening borders, OCASI will join Canadian Council for Refugees and allies and partners across Canada to continue to advocate for justice and dignity and the protection of fundamental rights of refugees.
OCASI endorsed an open letter issued by the Canadian Council for Refugees, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and Amnesty International Canada, together with more than 200 organizations, calling on federal leaders to commit to messaging and platform policies that honour refugees and newcomers.
Read and sign the letter as an organization or individual:
Watch the recording: Action 2025: Defending Refugee Rights in Canada, a virtual Refugee Rights Day 2025 Panel Discussion Held on April 3, 2025.