Celebrate refugee rights in Canada on April 4
Refugee Rights Day is commemorated on April 4 every year in Canada to bring attention to the advances made in the protection of refugee rights in Canada as a result of the Supreme Court Singh decision in 1985.
Join us this year to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the 'Singh decision'.
Statement by Toronto Planning Committee for Refugee Rights Day
Events
Better Together: Resistance, Solidarity & Refugee Rights in Canada
- Panel discussion & community gathering
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 12:00 noon – 2:30 pm
- The Ballroom, 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street, Toronto, ON
- Lunch provided | Free event | Registration required
The right to an oral hearing — granted by the landmark 1985 Supreme Court Singh decision — is under attack. The federal government has cut refugee healthcare and introduced new laws that roll back protections. Anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment is rising, and political leaders are failing to defend refugee rights, instead choosing divisive rhetoric. But communities are organizing to fight back. Come be part of the resistance!
Speakers:
- Sharry Aiken, Queen’s University Law School, Former President and Current Co-Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, Canadian Council for Refugees
- Lisa Duplessis, Director, Programs & Community Services, The 519
- Vanessa Redditt, Physician, Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital
- Refugee speaker
Event Sponsors:
In addition to the member organizations of the Toronto Planning Committee for Refugee Rights Day, we gratefully acknowledge the specific funding and in-kind support of the following organizations and departments for this event:
- Department of Criminology & Graduate Program in Criminology and Social Justice, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Criminology Course Union (CCU) & Students of CRM 303: Immigration & Refugee Protection, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Gender and Migration, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Global Migration Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Immigration and Settlement Studies (ISS) MA Program, Toronto Metropolitan University
- The 519
- OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
- Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT)
- Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University
Refugee Rights Day – Networking & Celebration
- Informal networking session
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- The 519, 519 Church Street, Toronto, ON
- Free event | Register
Connect with community members, service providers, and partner organizations. Explore resource tables and artwork from the Refugee Rights Creative Lab.
Refugee Rights Celebration: Together We Thrive
- Community celebration
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- The 519, 519 Church Street, Toronto, ON
- Free event | Register
A community celebration featuring music, dancing, and food. This is a space to come together, build connections, and celebrate refugee voices and contributions. Featuring DJ BlackCat on the decks.
Take Action
We’re better together! Advocacy efforts for those who want to support refugee rights!
The following is a non-exhaustive list of links to advocacy and education resources concerning refugee rights in Canada in the current context:
Better Together
- Help turn the tide! Join the Canadian Council for Refugees-led Better Together Campaign!
Defend Refugee Health Care
- Canadian Council for Refugees Call for Action: Write to Your MP to Stop Cuts to Refugee Healthcare!
- Join the Canadian Council for Refugees, Migrant Rights Network, and Canadian Refugee Health Network for a Phone Zap & Webinar to say NO to cuts to refugee health care!
- Monday, March 30 at 7pm ET
- Wednesday, April 1 at 12pm ET
- Migrant Rights Network Petition to Stop Cuts to Refugee Health Care
- Canadian Medical Association- Fighting for Care for Refugees
- Canadian Pediatric Society– Speak out to protect IFHP refugee health benefits
Education
- Amnesty International Canada An update on Bill C-12, March 18, 2026
- TMU Global Migration Institute Statement & Resources on Bill C-12, March 13, 2026
- Canadian Council for Refugees Report Warns UN that Canada is Backsliding on Basic Rights for Refugees, February 2, 2026
- Open letter from immigrant and refugee-serving sector umbrella organizations representing more than 500 community organizations from across Canada on cuts ot the settlement sector, March 10, 2026
- Analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Budget cuts are about to wreck Canada’s immigration system , March 9, 2026
- Refugee healthcare analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Cruel and unnecessary punishment: Asylum seekers will foot half of department’s cost-cutting blitz
- Migrant Rights Network Media Briefing Note Conservative motion and Liberal changes to refugee health care – Fact Check and Context, February 24, 2026
What is Refugee Rights Day?
April 4, 1985 was a milestone for refugee rights in Canada. On that day, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of refugee claimants in Canada to life, liberty and security of the person, and that claimants are therefore entitled to an oral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law. This ruling has become known as the 'Singh decision' in recognition of Harbhajan Singh, Sadhu Singh Thandi, Paramjit Singh Mann, Kewal Singh, Charanjit Singh Gill, Indrani and Satnam Singh who brought their cases to the Court.
To learn more about the 1985 Singh decision, watch this presentation by Barbara Jackman, one of the lawyers who argued the case.
Toronto Planning Committee - Refugee Rights Day 2026
- Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Gender and Migration, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Canadian Centre For Victims Of Torture (CCVT)
- FCJ Refugee Centre
- Criminology Course Union (CCU) & Students of CRM 303: Immigration & Refugee Protection, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Global Migration Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Matthew House
- OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
- The 519