Celebrate Refugee Rights in Canada on April 4!
Refugee Rights Month 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 decision (the ‘Singh’ decision) in 1985. Join us this year to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the 'Singh Decision'.
Scroll down to see a list of activities in Toronto that you can join.
Most activities are free of charge. Everyone is welcome.
If you are organizing a community event in Toronto and would like to list it here, please contact us at rrd@ocasi.org
Events
Refugee Rights Month 2017 Launch & Proclamation
Date: April 03, 2017
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: Toronto City Hall. Members Lounge. 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
What:Featuring Proclamation and remarks by Mayor John Tory
Remarks from Kinana Issa - Toronto-based Syrian writer, activist, audio-visual producer and artist; Ibrahim Absiye, President - OCASI; Loly Rico, President - Canadian Council for Refugees; City of Toronto Newcomer Advocates Councillor Jim Karygiannis and Councillor Joe Mihevc.
Event starts at 12:00 p.m.
Reception and light refreshments 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Please rsvp rrd@ocasi.org
Organizers: OCASI and City of Toronto Newcomer Office
Click here for the Media Release on the launch of Refugee Rights Awareness Month 2017.
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Refugees Welcome or Excluded Here? Refugee Rights Day 2017
Date: April 4 2017
Time: 12:15-2:00pm
Location: York Lanes Room 280N, York University Keele Campus
What: Panel discussion featuring three experts on Canadian refugee policy who will consider policy directions of the current federal government in the areas of overseas resettlement and “inland” refugee policy, as well as Canada-US dynamics. Are we currently in a period of increased inclusion or exclusion concerning refugees in Canada? The fourth panelist, student leader Humaima Ashfaque will share the efforts of the York University Refugees Welcome Here! (RWH!) campaign to make our campus and community more welcoming to refugees.
Organizers: York University Centre for Refugee Studies and York’s Syria Response and Refugee Initiative. Co-Sponsors: McLaughlin College, Amnesty International at York
RSVPs are requested for a complimentary light lunch indicating dietary restrictions (not later than April 2nd).
Click here for more information and to RSVP
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What's Up With The Safe Third Country Agreement?
Date: Apr 6, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Location: Webinar, online. Click here to register.
What: OCASI and many others across Canada are calling on the Canadian government to suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement with the US. Asylum seekers that enter Canada from the U.S. through regulated border points are subject to the Agreement, and may not be allowed to stay to make a refugee claim. Many Canadians are concerned about the health, safety and well-being of asylum seekers who are crossing the border into Canada at unregulated points, while others mistakenly believe they are breaking the law and should be stopped.
We are excited to offer a public education webinar on what the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement means today for refugee claimants, community workers and advocates, and for Canadians.
Featuring Andrew Brouwer, Senior Counsel, Refugee Law, Legal Aid Ontario, respected refugee rights advocate and human rights champion.
Organizers: OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Read more here.
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Beyond Fear and Loss, Reaching for Hope 2017
Date: April 6-8
- Thursday April 6 - 1pm to 9pm; Official Opening at 6:00 p.m.
- Friday April 7th - 10am to 9pm
- Saturday April 8th - 10am to 5pm
Location: Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto (Near the Bloor and St. George subway)
What: The visual expression of refugee experience of flight from homeland and the journey to a new life in Canada. A fundraising book sale will also be held in conjunction with this exhibition to raise funds for the Quaker Committee for Refugees. Donations of Books are welcome.
Organizers: Quaker Committee for Refugees and the Salvadoran Canadian Association of Toronto (ASALCA)
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“Refugees Are Welcome” – A Celebration
Date: April 8
Time: 3:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Bloor Street United Church (300 Bloor St. West) - McClure Hall
What: Come out for a day of art performances and activism. Enjoy music, crafts, creative family friendly activities and refreshments while getting a chance to learn about refugees' success stories and Amnesty International's campaign "I Welcome Refugees".
Organizers: Amnesty International, Canadian Centre For Victims of Torture and Sojourn House
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Romero Vive 2017 – A Celebration of Refugee Rights
Date: Saturday April 8, 2017
Time: 6:00pm (Doors open)
Location: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor St. West (Dundas Subway Station)
Toronto, Ontario
What: A Celebration of Refugee Rights. Cultural Show, dance and food
Organizers: Quaker Committee for Refugees and the Salvadoran Canadian Association of Toronto (ASALCA)
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Refugee Rights Day 2017 – The Singh Decision Matters in 2017
Date: April 20, 2017Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto (Near the Bloor and St. George subway)
What: A panel discussion on refugee rights in 2017:
- is Toronto really a sanctuary city
- refugees experience with Islamophobia, anti-black racism
- healthcare for refugees
- refugee claimants and human rights.
Spoken word by Maseh Hadaf
Panelists:
- Rosa Solorzano, youth activist, FCJ Refugee Centre.
- El-Farouk Khaki, refugee lawyer, human rights activist, ordained as a Reverend, and cofounder and Imam of El-Tawhid Juma Circle Unity Mosques
- Dr. Praseedha Janakiram, Physician at Crossroads Clinic for refugees
- Andrew Brouwer, refugee lawyer and refugee rights and human rights activist
Co-moderators:
Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Mbalu Lumor, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
Light refreshments will be provided.
This is a free public event.
Questions? Contact rrd@ocasi.org
Organizers: Refugee Rights Month Planning Committee_____
Toronto Refugee Rights Month Planning Committee
Amnesty International | Amnesty International at York University | Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture | Centre for Refugee Studies, York University | Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change | FCJ Refugee Centre | Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto | OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants | Osgoode Hall Law School | Quaker Committee for Refugees | Salvadorean Canadian Association | Syria Response and Refugee Initiative, York University