We are thrilled to invite you to the Undocumented Residents Day event, on Thursday August 24th.
For more than 30 years, the FCJ Refugee Centre has been amplifying the voices of Toronto’s most marginalized communities. We are proud to continue working alongside The City to invite all Torontonians to increase awareness, engage in discussion, and embrace Toronto as a true Sanctuary City, where everyone is welcome and treated with dignity. A Toronto we can all be proud of.
Undocumented Residents Day features an exhibition showcasing artwork and stories from undocumented residents in Toronto sharing their experiences. This collection of art and community materials is presented in the City Hall Rotunda from August 21st to 24th. The display, which is free and open to the public, has been organized by the City of Toronto’s Newcomer Office in collaboration with FCJ Refugee Centre, Access Alliance, and Migrants Rights Network.
It is our belief that by shedding light on these stories, we can work towards a more informed and supportive community that recognizes the importance of equal rights and opportunities for all.
In 2013, the City of Toronto was the first Canadian municipality to adopt an Access without Fear Policy to ensure access to City services, regardless of immigration status. More information about the policy is available on the City’s website.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities.
On the occasion of Undocumented Residents Day, the City emphasised that, “as the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.”
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Vice-Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, in partnership with the FCJ Refugee Centre and Access Alliance, will join members of the community to recognize Undocumented Residents Day.
Date: Thursday, August 24 Time: 5:30 p.m. (speakers begin at 5:45 p.m.) Location: Rotunda, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.
The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is announcing the establishment of the Francisco Rico-Martínez Award. This distinguished award is a tribute to Francisco who was an unwavering champion of refugees and marginalized communities. We are excited to share this opportunity with you, and we believe that your commitment to social justice aligns perfectly with the spirit of this award.
This award will honour two exceptional students enrolled in a relevant post-secondary institution. Each recipient will be awarded a prize of $2500, recognizing their outstanding dedication to the advancement of refugee rights and marginalized populations.
This award is inspired by Francisco’s enduring legacy as a refugee himself and his visionary contributions as the co-founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre.
We are excited to invite you to join us for a new edition of the Ride for Refuge!
This is our biggest annual fundraising campaign, bringing together members of our community to support the FCJ Refugee Centre.
Our goal this year is to raise at least $35,000 to continue our mission to empower refugees and all uprooted people. The funds will help our most vulnerable community members and programs.
This unique fundraising campaign is now live – culminating with the ride/walk on September 23, when we will gather, do the ride/walk and celebrate the resilience of our community.
Support newly arrived refugees in Toronto by donating today or joining our team!
How to get involved
■ Register as a Participant. You can register here to fundraise for FCJ Refuge Centre. Join an existing team, pick your activity, and get fundraising!
■ Become a Team Captain. Team Captains are the heart and soul of Ride for Refuge. As Team Captain, you play the key role of leader, recruiter, fundraiser, planner, and cheerleader. Here’s the basics:
On RIDE Day we gather to move our hearts and our legs in solidarity with all who are affected by a callous world that ignores their pain, their needs, and their great potential.
African groups, groups working with refugees —including FCJ Refugee Centre—, people experiencing homelessness, and other civil society groups gathered this morning on 129 Peter Street, the City of Toronto Referral and Assessment Centre, to call on all levels of government to urgently provide emergency housing and support, in order to address the current shelter system crisis that is impacting unhoused refugee claimants and migrants in Toronto.
The organizations called on all orders of government to establish temporary reception centres for refugee claimants and migrants, so they can receive short term shelter and appropriate wraparound supports as their refugee claims are processed, including providing immediate emergency street outreach and mobile resources, and health care support.
They also demanded funding for shelter support services that include appropriate services for refugee claimants and migrants, and use an anti-Black racism and anti-racism framework.
Inthatregard,theystressedthatasignificantproportionofrefugeeclaimantsinTorontowhoareunhousedandwithoutanyshelterorcommunityservicesandsupportareorAfricanorigin.Africangroupsandcivilsocietyorganizationsaredeeplyconcerned,theysaid,thatthereappearstobealackofactiontoaddressthehousingcrisisfacedbyAfrican, racialized refugee claimants. There are approximately 30 or more African people at any given time sleeping on cardboard outside of the 129 Peter Street location in Toronto.
“As a refugee that came to Canada 33 years ago, I am standing here in solidarity with my sisters and brothers that are sleeping on the streets, and to say shame on the Government of Canada,” said Loly Rico, Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre.
“This is not the first time that we see waves of refugees coming to Canada after a conflict rise in the world. There was always a bed for them. But this is the first time that we are seeing refugees sleeping on the streets. This is a shame. We should be ready for this situation,” she added.
“I am standing here to demand to the different levels of government to take responsibility. We ask the City of Toronto to open more emergency beds now, and to establish a reception centre for refugee claimants and precarious migrants,” said Rico.
“It is very sad to see people lining up looking and hoping to have a bed today. Enough is enough. Stop blaming refugees,” said Loly Rico. “This is a government responsibility, and especially for the Federal Government. We ask Prime Minister to take action and not just words. He always says that refugees ar welcome. Then do it and welcome them, in the same way that we have being welcoming refugees in the past and giving them the chance to have a new beginning with dignity,” she added.
The representatives who participated in the event pointed out that “in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, all orders of government acted quickly to support displaced people, including providing shelter, housing, and services.” “Civil society organizations call on governments to show the same compassion to refugees and migrants from other parts of the world,” they added.
The organizations said that unhoused people on the street face sexual exploitation and high levels of violence, as well as inadequate food and healthcare: “As new arrivals in Canada, refugee claimants’ unfamiliarity with Toronto has left them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.”
Together with the Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre, Loly Rico, also speaking at the event were Diane Walter, Executive Director at Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services; Kizito Musabimana, from the Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre; Debbie Hill-Corrigan, Executive Director at Sojourn House; Manny Wong, Executive Director of Christie Refugee Welcome Centre; Siu Mee Cheng, Executive Director of Street Haven; Mr. Asuman, a migrant from Uganda; Debbie Douglas, Executive Director at OCASI; Christopher Nkambwe, from the African groups; Pastor Eddie Jjumba, Ugandan Canadian community leader; and Dr. Meb Rashid, Medical Director at The Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto.
Here is our Summer 2023 Newsletter! In this issue you will find information about our latest street party, the World Refugee Day march (in which we took part), and the FCJ Refugee Centre Annual General Meeting, together with an in-depth article on labour trafficking, how this problem is reflected in the news, the work FCJ continues to do to fight it and why we support the Status For All campaign.
You will also find everything you need to know about Ride for Refuge, our biggest annual fundraising campaign, and how to get involved; testimonials from our summer students; updates about our upcoming events and our latest podcasts; follow ups on our Capacity Development Training program and the collaborative project A Roadmap to Justice, and much more.
Community groups in Toronto are calling on the governments of Canada and Ontario, and Toronto’s Mayor-elect to act urgently to provide emergency and long-term shelter for refugee claimants in Toronto.
A significant number of refugee claimants continue to arrive in Toronto and other Ontario communities. The number of refugee claimants arriving in Toronto in particular continues to be high, even after the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement to irregular crossings of the Canada-US border and the closure of Roxham Road.
Mr. M.H., a refugee claimant from Ethiopia has been sleeping on the streets for the last three weeks. He has not been able to find a bed in a Toronto emergency shelter. Every day he comes to a local refugee house hoping for better news, and a shelter bed.
“Every morning we find refugee claimants lined up outside our door, hoping that this is the day they can get a shelter bed. This is a crisis. We cannot abandon our responsibilities to refugee claimants – especially children. We are counting on our new Mayor Olivia Chow, and the federal and provincial governments to work with us to find an immediate solution to the urgent shelter and housing crisis refugee claimants are facing” – Loly Rico, Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre and Provincial Director, OCASI.
“Globally, the number of people forcibly displaced is at an all-time high. We have done well in welcoming displaced Ukrainians. Let’s do better to welcome refugee claimants fleeing other conflicts and persecution. We call on all orders of government to step up to provide emergency shelter and supports for refugee claimants” – Yasmine Dossal, Director, Social Services at COSTI and Toronto Regional Director, OCASI.
“As we face the Ethiopian refugee crisis in Toronto, it is crucial that we acknowledge its criticality and the urgent need for action. Refugees have left their homes, seeking safety and a better future. We have a moral responsibility to provide comprehensive support, including education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to society. By investing in their well-being and empowering them, we not only offer a chance for a brighter future but also enrich our communities with their diverse perspectives and talents. Let us stand in solidarity, extending our compassion and support to Ethiopian refugees in Toronto as they embark on their journey of healing, resilience, and hope.” – Surranna Sandy, CEO, Skills for Change
Community groups have sent an open letter to the City of Toronto, and to the governments of Canada and Ontario, calling for urgent action. The groups are calling on the newly-elected Toronto Mayor to:
Receive refugee claimants arriving in Toronto;
Provide emergency shelter in Toronto with support to transition to long-term housing; and
Provide support services
They are calling on the federal and provincial governments to:
Ensure refugee claimants at Toronto Pearson Airport and other international airports are received appropriately;
Resource municipalities to provide emergency shelter in Toronto with support to transition to long-term housing;
Resource community-based organizations to provide shelter and housing, and support services.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we walked in solidarity with those who walk across countries and continents to find safety.
Together with other refugee advocates, we started our 10 Km march at Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino’s office in Toronto, and went all the way to Ireland Park, by lake Ontario.
We denounced the perils that refugee claimants face trying to enter Canada because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and the closure of the Canadian border to the vast majority of asylum seekers.
We wanted to reach out to you on the significant occasion of World Refugee Day to shed a light on the ongoing refugee situation in Canada and request your generous support.
At present, Canada is facing a critical refugee protection crisis, with an increasing number of individuals and families seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives. The need for comprehensive refugee protection has never been more urgent, and we believe that together we can make a real difference.
On World Refugee Day, we come together to honor the strength and resilience of refugees around the world. It is a day to commemorate their courage, celebrate their contributions, and raise awareness about their plight. With your support, we can extend a helping hand to those who have fled war, persecution, and unimaginable hardships.
Here are some key facts about the current refugee situation in Canada:
Growing Numbers: 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of conflict, persecution, human rights violations and violence. Among them are 27.1 million refugees, around 41% of whom are under the age of 18. Since the easing of border restriction on November 21, 2021, there have been over 90,000 claims made across Canada, representing a 50% increase in claims compared to the same period pre-COVID (2018/2019).
Humanitarian Challenges: Many refugees arrive in Canada with limited resources and face numerous challenges in accessing basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and education. Last year alone, our organization provided support to over 10,000 refugees.
Legal Support: A significant portion of these refugees require legal assistance to navigate the complex asylum process and ensure their rights and protection are upheld. In the past year, our protection team has provided crucial support to more than 5,000 refugees, helping them secure their status and access the protection they deserve.
On this World Refugee Day, we invite you to stand with us in support of the vulnerable refugees who have sought sanctuary in Canada. Together, we can make a profound impact and help create a brighter future for those in desperate need.
By donating to our organization, you directly contribute to the well-being and protection of refugees in Canada. Your support will help us provide essential services, including Settlement, Refugee Protection, Access to Education and Anti-Human Trafficking.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and your continued support of our organization. Together, we can be a beacon of hope for refugees and build a more inclusive and compassionate world.
The FCJ Refugee Centre has a new landmark at the door of our office in Oakwood Avenue: a sculpture donated by the great Mexican artist Alex Flores, which was unveiled last Saturday during our Street Party.
The sculpture, an installation created by Alex Flores for Pride Month, summarizes the values of solidarity and inclusiveness that define both the Centre and the work of this visual artist, filmmaker and activist for social justice and human rights.
Hon. Christine Fréchette Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration, QC ministre@mifi.gouv.qc.ca
Hon. Gerry Byrne Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, NFLD GerryByrne@gov.nl.ca
Hon. Jill Balser Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, NS MIN-LSI@novascotia.ca
Hon. Arlene Dunn Minister responsible for Immigration, NB Arlene.Dunn@gnb.ca
The Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants calls on the Government of Canada and all of the Provincial Governments to ensure that refugee claimants housed in federal accommodations have adequate access to legal and settlement supports.
June 1, 2023
The Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants calls on the federal government and the various provincial governments to ensure that refugee claimants in federal accommodations across Canada are receiving adequate settlement and legal support.
The agencies of the Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants are on the frontline when it comes to responding to the needs of refugee claimants in Ontario. We, as service providers to refugees—many among us refugee houses and shelters— provide temporary housing and support for thousands of individuals and families each year as they navigate the refugee determination system and settle into communities across the province. In our work, we have witnessed the critical need for immediate settlement services and access to qualified legal support for newly arrived claimants.
We are aware that 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 saw growing numbers of refugee claimants arriving in Canada. We are supportive of the Federal Government’s efforts to provide emergency accommodation to new arrivals, as this is a crucial basic need. However, we are very concerned about the lack of access to essential settlement and legal services for refugee claimants being placed in temporary federal accommodations.
Since the summer of 2022, IRCC has been transferring refugee claimants who have arrived in Quebec to hotel accommodations in Ontario, and more recently, in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and
Newfoundland. Access to services in the host communities varies widely. IRCC has made it clear that the provinces are responsible for providing legal aid and settlement services. This poses a number of problems:
Most federally and provincially funded settlement organizations do not have experience in meeting the needs of refugee claimants, as funding rules have historically discouraged them from serving this population. As a result, many involved organizations lack the knowledge and expertise to meet the particular needs of claimants. However, many other organizations in host communities across the country are experts in service provision to this population. In Ontario, for example, members of our Coalition bring decades of experience in providing settlement services for refugee claimants. Coalition members have reported great difficulty in gaining access to claimants in Ontario hotels, even though they are willing and equipped to provide high quality services. We know of similar difficulties for refugee claimant serving organizations in other regions, particularly in Quebec.
Not all provinces have equitable legal aid programs, which disadvantages claimants based on the region to which they are transferred. In particular, New Brunswick does not provide legal aid certificates to refugee claimants. IRCC has put forth the solution of providing early work permits for claimants arriving to this region, allowing them to pay legal fees. This is not a viable solution. It is extremely difficult for newly arrived refugees to secure employment so they can pay legal fees. Recently arrived claimants often have limited English or French and may be experiencing physical or mental health issues related to their trauma and dislocation. They are also likely preoccupied with finding permanent accommodation and keeping up with legal demands related to their refugee claim. It is unreasonable to expect them to find employment and pay for counsel to support their legal needs, particularly given the tight timelines required to complete the IRCC portal. Lack of access to legal counsel has very serious implications for a claimant’s ability to put forth their refugee claim.
Our Coalition members know from experience that a lack of settlement and legal supports can have serious consequences for the long-term well-being of refugee claimants who are seeking safety and beginning their lives in Canada. Early access to health care, education, English or French language training, mental health supports, permanent housing, social support and employment services are critical for setting individuals and families up for success. Approximately 60% of refugee claimants are granted status as protected persons in Canada, and many others end up becoming permanent residents through other pathways. Therefore it is in the federal and provincial governments’ best interest to prioritize early settlement support for refugee claimants, not only because we have a humanitarian commitment to them, but also to ensure they become thriving, contributing members of our communities as quickly as possible.
In addition, our Coalition is extremely concerned about the impact of the recently adopted additional protocol to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) on access to services for refugee claimants. The provision that requires a person who crossed our border irregularly to be in Canada for 14 days before making a refugee claim has serious consequences for access to emergency shelter, health care and other
essential services. It puts them at risk of grave exploitation and danger. We stand in firm opposition to the expansion of the STCA in general, and to the 14-day rule in particular.
We call on the Federal government—via IRCC—and relevant provincial governments who host refugee claimants to do the following:
Identify existing refugee claimant serving organizations in host communities where IRCC is providing accommodations and facilitate the ability of these organizations to provide direct settlement supports in hotels.
Expand eligibility to access IRCC funded services to refugee claimants, increasing knowledge and experience in serving refugee claimants within the settlement sector and making IRCC funding available to experienced refugee claimant serving organizations.
Allow people who have entered Canada irregularly to access settlement services without fear during the new 14-day period in which they are ineligible to make a refugee claim.
We call on the Government of Canada and the various provincial governments to ensure that refugee claimants in federal accommodations have access to the necessary settlement and legal supports. All levels of government have a responsibility to do better to ensure that the needs of refugee claimants are adequately met.
If you desire assistance from us to help identify agencies with expertise in refugee claimant support in various regions across Canada, we would be more than happy to assist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants
Member Agencies:
Adam House, Toronto Angela Rose and Oak House, Windsor Carty House, Ottawa Casa El Norte, Fort Erie Casa Maria Refugee Homes, Peterborough Centre for Refugee Children, Toronto Chez Marie, St. Catherines Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, Toronto COMPASS Refugee Centre, Kitchener COSTI Immigrant Services, Toronto FCJ Refugee Centre, Toronto IAFR Canada/Open Homes Hamilton, Hamilton Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Kitchener Matthew House, Fort Erie Matthew House, Ottawa Matthew House, Toronto Matthew House, Windsor Micah House, Hamilton Peace Bridge Newcomer Centre, Fort Erie Quaker Refugee Committee, Toronto RCEC Diocese of London, London Romero House, Toronto Sojourn House, Toronto The 519 Church Street Community Centre, Toronto The Peoples House, Toronto
Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees, and she will be in Toronto this coming Wednesday, June 7th, inviting everyone to walk with her in solidarity with displaced children everywhere.
Walking with Amal is a community-driven initiative that carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families.
Since July 2021, Amal has travelled over 9,000 Km in 13 countries, including Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. Most recently, she has been in Lviv, Amsterdam, New York City, London, and Brighton. She has traveled all these countries looking for her mother.
She has been welcomed by more than a million people on the street, including hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, as well as by tens of millions online.
Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story. Her urgent message to the world is “Don’t forget about us.”
The puppet of Little Amal was designed and built by Handspring Puppet Company, who created the puppets for the international hit play War Horse, establishing them as one of the most important puppet companies in the world.
The event will feature various activities, including guided walks, informative sessions, and interactive displays, all designed to engage and educate participants about the cause at hand.
By participating, we not only support a noble cause but also contribute to fostering unity and compassion within our community.
The Toronto Walk
Date: June 7, 2023
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: Union Station Plaza, Toronto
Little Amal will be greeted with welcome gestures when she arrives at Union Station, then led through the Financial District to Nathan Philips Square by drummers and butterflies.
Indigenous leaders will honour Amal with a poem and a round dance, honorary grandmothers will offer words of advice, and the community will rejoice with music in the excitement of Amal’s arrival in Toronto.
All of Amal’s events are suitable for children and families.
Butterflies from the FCJ Youth Network
To add a touch of creativity and show our support visually, the FCJ Youth Network has worked on crafting butterflies that will be flying with Amal during the walk, symbolizing our support and solidarity.
As a part of the annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network hosted on May 17th a hybrid forum to raise awareness and address the root causes of the ever growing labour trafficking issue in Canada.
The forum identified the issue at hand, by discussing the realities of labour trafficking in Canada while examining the systems in place that facilitate the trafficking of foreign nationals for the purpose of forced labour. Speakers also addressed the gaps in service in supporting victims and survivors in order to foster solutions to strengthen collaboration across sectors.
The forum featured a panel discussion with experts from victim supporting organizations, advocates and researchers, and those with lived experience of labour trafficking in Canada. Topics covered incl,uded raising awareness about current human trafficking trends involving large groups of foreign nationals being recruited to work in Canada, addressing the use of housing exploitation as a means of control, identifying the root causes of emerging trends through policy examination, and developing recommendations to foster collaboration towards solutions.
We believe that through collaboration between service providers, government, law enforcement, and those directly impacted by labour trafficking, we can better respond to labour trafficking and ideally prevent it.
Our hybrid forum "A Call For Action To End Labour Trafficking" just started! The goal is to raise awareness and address the root causes of the ever growing labour trafficking issue in Canada. #labourtraffickingpic.twitter.com/I3cMRAgBNg
— FCJ Refugee Centre (@RefugeeCentre) May 17, 2023
Speakers:
Selene Mateos Solis (Survivor of Labour Trafficking): Selene Mateos Solis (she/they) is a survivor of human labour trafficking in Ontario. They hold a bachelor in environmental Technology from UT Tabasco in Mexico. They have spoken at events held by FCJ Refugee Centre, the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture and the Toronto United Mennonite Church. Their experience has sparked a drive to get to the community. They currently volunteer for the newcomers program “Among Friends” at the 519 in Toronto. Selene believes that education, awareness and advocacy regarding this topic is crucial. They are particularly focused on raising awareness of the personal impact the experience of being trafficked for labour can have on an individual.
Connie Stevens: Connie Stevens is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner who has worked in Sexual Health for over 35 years. Connie received her PhD from the University of Liverpool and teaches at a GTA college. Based on her experience in both areas, Connie researched safer acclimatisation for Female Punjabi International students. Researching the students’ experience has exposed sex trafficking and labour trafficking. The students fear community and immigration retaliation if they share their stories. Connie wants to acknowledge the students’ contributions and permission received to act as an ally and advocate on their behalf. Connie will share her research findings and offer some of the students’ suggested resolutions.
Nadia Nadeem (Staff Immigration Lawyer – Neighbourhood Legal Services): Nadia is a Staff Lawyer (Immigration) at Neighbourhood Legal Services. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour from McMaster University. Prior to attending law school, Nadia worked in a Mental Health & Addiction Program at a major city hospital where she supported individuals as well as their families. Nadia is deeply committed to social justice and advocacy, particularly on behalf of vulnerable and marginalized groups. While in law school, Nadia gained clinical experience through working at community legal clinics in both Hamilton and Windsor. She is passionate about community lawyering in the immigration & refugee law context, and is currently Co-Chair of the Inter Clinic Immigration Working Group (ICIWG)
Ezat Mossallanejad(Policy Analyst at Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture): Ezat holds a Ph.D. degree from Poona University, India, and has worked as Coordinator of the Jesuit Refugee Service-Canada. Ezat has served as a founding member of the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ), the Culturelink’s Chair of the Board and a director on the Board of the Inter-Church Committee for Refugee (ICCR). At present, Ezat works as a full-time Settlement Counsellor and Policy Analyst with the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT). Ezat has also worked on the Editorial Board of the Refugee Update. Ezat has published 6 books and more than 150 articles in Farsi as well as three books and around 45 articles in English. He has worked with several UN bodies in connection with refugee protection and eradication of torture. In his mission to protect refugees and survivors of torture, he has travelled to different countries including USA, Mexico, Rwanda, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, Nigeria, Uganda, Thailand, India and Cyprus. His book Torture in the Age of Fear was published in September 2005. In 2012, he published Religions and the Cruel Return of Gods. In 2014, he published a book entitled Crimes and Punishment in Islam. His book The Silence of Fairy was published in 2018. He is also the founder of Zagros Editions.
James McLean (Director of Research and Policy – Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking): James McLean currently serves as the Director of Research and Policy at the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. In this role, he is initiating a series of original research projects, including one that is looking at how prosecutors and law enforcement can make better use of digital evidence to reduce reliance on victim testimony. Prior to joining the Centre, James worked with a non-profit organization in Ottawa, the City of Toronto, and as a Senior Advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Education. He also serves as Deputy Mayor of his local municipality.
Kelly Howe (Senior Manager – Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills): Kelly is the Senior Manager of the Divisional Intelligence Unit (DIU). The DIU is a dedicated team in the ministry that was created to support efforts against provincial labour trafficking. This team focuses on detecting and investigating exploitative labour practices and labour trafficking activity. The DIU works closely with legal clinics, advocacy groups, industry associations, consulates, agencies that support workers and newcomers, police, other law enforcement agencies and the broader regulatory community on matters related to labour exploitation and trafficking.
Jovana Blagovcanin (Anti-Human Trafficking Manager- FCJ Refugee Centre): Jovana is the Anti-Human Trafficking Manager at FCJ Refugee Centre and the Coordinator of the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network. Through the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Mobile Worker Program, Jovana supports precarious status migrants who have experienced abuse in the workplace, or exploitation in the form of labour or sex trafficking. Jovana continues to participate in advocacy efforts through the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network, Canadian Council for Refugees and other various committees involved in migrant worker rights campaigns.
Our Spring 2023 Newsletter is ready! Check it out and learn everything about our new Capacity Development Training program, an innovative initiative that aims to expand our services for newcomers by collaborating with non-profit organizations across Canada that face resource limitations, while serving refugee claimants in their communities.
The FCJ Refugee Centre hosted on Friday a special event to say thanks to the Vaccine Ambassadors and recognize their great work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They were a key component of the success and impact of the City’s vaccine campaign, being essential points of contact in the neighbourhoods where they live and/or work, providing access to vaccine resources, building vaccine confidence, and amplifying public health messaging across their networks.
They helped us continue to keep our door open, and we couldn’t be
The theme for the 2023 National Volunteer Week (April 16 – 22) is Volunteering Weaves Us Together, which highlights the significance of volunteerism in strengthening and energizing our communities by showcasing the interconnected actions we take to support one another.
At FCJ Refugee Centre, we have been working in solidarity with our community since the foundation of our organization. Our volunteers have generously contributed their time to support our ESL classes, donate monthly, support our campaigns and events, and engage in various other valuable activities.
We are immensely grateful for their support and believe that their efforts will help us weave a stronger bond within our community.
If you are interested in volunteering with us please apply here. Join us and make a difference!
The Migrant Women’s Counter Human Trafficking Alliance (MWCHTA) invites you to our workshops, open to all newcomer migrant women!
We are now presenting: Meditative Art with our facilitator Carolina Gajardo!
During these sessions, she will guide us in how to use simple art techniques that help relax and release stress, and most of all give us the chance to have fun!
These creative sessions will take place online:
April 20 & 27, May 4
1:30pm for Spanish – 4pm for English
Please contact Chiara Rossi atchiarar@fcjrefugeecentre.orgor 416-469-9754 ext. 222 to register or if you have any questions!
Two FCJ Refugee Centre representatives, Jovana Blagovcanin, Anti-Human Trafficking Manager, and Chiara Rossi, Anti-Human Trafficking – Women Coordinator, participated as witnesess in a House of Commons’ meeting on Human Trafficking of Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People, in the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
They brought attention to the vulnerability of migrant women and the gaps in service for victims of trafficking who have precarious immigration status.
The 
Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees, and she will be in Toronto this coming Wednesday, June 7th, inviting everyone to walk with her in solidarity with displaced children everywhere.
The theme for the 
The Migrant Women’s Counter Human Trafficking Alliance (MWCHTA) invites you to our workshops