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 Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

People on the Move

N° 101, August 2006

 

 

Pastoral Letter on Immigration and the Protection of Refugees*

 

 

Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

 

 

Recommendations

The Bishops of the Social Affairs Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops are concerned about the weakening of protections for refugees and migrants. There is need to ensure that everything possible is done to respect their human dignity. We call on the Government of Canada to correct major flaws in our immigration system by: 

  • Abrogating the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States
  • Introducing the appeal system for refugee claimants as required by Canadian immigration law 
  • Eliminating obstacles which impede the speedy reunification of families 
  • Reducing the waiting period for collective sponsorships
  • Reinforcing laws on human trafficking, particularly measures to protect victims

We also ask all levels of government to be more open to immigrants by providing: 

  • Better reception for newcomers
  • Greater access to public services and decent living conditions 
  • Recognition of the education and competence of immigrants
  • More opportunities in the workplace 
  • Improved protections for migrant workers
 
*The letter entitled “We are Aliens and Transients before the Lord our God” was published on the occasion of this year’s World Day for Migrants and Refugees (15 th January 2006). Here we are reproducing only the Recommendations.

 
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