The other story about Venezuela
When Canada convenes the Lima Group on Feb. 4, which since August 2017 has been trying to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela, top diplomats from the participating countries will certainly have in mind the hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants from Venezuela. This is indeed an unprecedented population outflow in […]
Nothing in migration compact tells Canada to ‘open borders,’ says UN refugee agency rep
The United Nations global migration pact has sovereignty written into the non-binding agreement, says a representative of the United Nations’ refugee agency in response to critics’ suggestions that it’s a “border-erasing policy” that encourages mass migration. “I see nothing in there that speaks of open borders or that countries would, in any way, not continue to […]
The incredible shrinking country
OTTAWA—Think back through the years and see if you can remember a more petty, vengeful act by a political leader than Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to raise the number of seats needed for a party to reach official status at Queen’s Park. The Progressive Conservatives are hiking the required seat total in the Ontario legislature required […]
UN official warns of ‘dehumanizing’ political rhetoric amid Canada border-crosser debate
Parliamentarians should be careful not to politicize refugees, especially when their levels are “entirely manageable” like in Canada, says a United Nations refugee official. “I hope those responsible in the political sphere are not instrumentalizing the issue of asylum and migration for political gains that have got nothing to do with the issue at stake,” […]
A Canadian mother’s plea for Venezuelans
Pa’ lante es pa’ alla. That translates to: “don’t look back, keep going.” It’s a saying embedded in every Venezuelan arriving in Colombia looking for safety. This is what I heard when I met pregnant women, sick children, and the elderly, all with gaunt faces during my recent two-month emergency deployment with the UN Refugee […]
Canada, Turkey could alleviate global humanitarian crises together
OTTAWA—Turkey has traditionally been a land that offered safe haven to many people from different religions, races, and languages throughout history. Turkish people have opened their homes and hearts to those forced to leave their homelands for various reasons, including violence. Turkey’s open-door policy will continue. The Turkish nation’s attitude towards migrants, refugees, and asylum […]
Time for global collaboration to address sexual, reproductive health and rights
Parliamentarians from more than 150 nations are gathering in Ottawa this week to tackle one of the most serious challenges facing humanity. At the International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Program of Action, or IPCI, a forum for all global regions, political leaders will work towards collective action on issues related to population […]
Politics This Morning: Trudeau to meet with state leaders of Chile, New Zealand; Carr to meet with European trade commissioner
Good Wednesday morning, Here’s what’s on the go today: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is still in NY for the UN General Assembly, where he’s been hobnobbing with world leaders in the hopes of courting votes as Canada seeks a UN Security Council bid in 2020. His itinerary for the day includes meetings with Chile’s president, Sebastián Piñera and […]
Is Canada under siege from asylum seekers?
Is Canada under siege from asylum seekers? Far from it. Canada is by nature a welcoming country. While it has been experiencing an influx of asylum seekers this past year, this increase must not be viewed as a crisis because it is neither unprecedented in Canada nor relatively substantial when compared to its European allies […]
UNRWA’s failure to reform its policies only harms Palestinian interests: Fegelman
Re: “No more Palestinian refugees,” (The Hill Times, Gwynne Dyer, Sept. 5, 2018). Untold by Gwynne Dyer, the U.S. decision to cancel funding to UNRWA was based on legitimate reasons and this effort prompts Mideast peace rather than preventing it. The U.S. State Department labelled the United Nations Relief and Works Agency as “irredeemably flawed” largely due to UNRWA’s problematic and politicized definition […]
