The National, CBC

With the future of U.S. immigration policy in doubt, many refugees and asylum seekers are flocking to Canada, and the Canadian government has promised to keep its borders open.

With Loly Rico, Co-Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

Notimex / Ntrzacatecas

Para el asesor de procesos de refugio en Canadá Francisco Rico, es “una aberración” la negativa del actual primer ministro Stephen Harper de abrir las puertas del país a más refugiados sirios para hacer frente a la crisis en la región.

“El gobierno ha dado un cambio rotundo en la política canadiense hacia los refugiados, pues anteriormente había programas para seleccionar refugiados en los propios países con violencia, pero Harper los suspendió”, agregó el co-director del Centro para los Refugiados FCJ, con sede en Toronto. […]

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Michael Robinson, Toronto Star

For some refugees living in Toronto, Monday will mark their very first Canadian Thanksgiving. For others, the annual feast serves as a standing reminder of their journey to a place they now call home. The Star spoke with several refugees to learn what they are thankful for this year. […]

[…] New Toronto arrivals expressed many reasons to be thankful during the FCJ Refugee Centre’s Thanksgiving dinner late last week.

Haben Tesfai said she was grateful for the Toronto-based organization that had helped her settle into her new home. “As a newcomer, you are not aware of what access you have to services in Toronto,” the Eritrean refugee said. “The FCJ Centre helped me with shelter, the basic needs of life, and from there on, work, study permit applications and volunteering experiences.” […]

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Host Sook-Yin Lee, from CBC Radio, visited the The FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto: “It’s a cozy, brick house that provides emergency shelter and assistance to refugees. All of the refugees fled their home country because of political persecution, terrorist attacks, or war. And they were eager to share their experiences.”

Listen here:

The Agenda with Steve Paikin, TVO

Photos of Alan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian toddler, have shocked Canadians. Now many are wondering if it is time for Canada to do more to help the world’s displaced people.

Guests:

Francisco Rico, FCJ Refugee Centre
Alexandra Kotyk, Lifeline Syria
Janice Stein,Munck School of Global Affairs
Christian Leuprecht, Royal Military Collegue of Canada

Sneh Duggal, Embassy

Nearly half of all Torontonians are immigrants. Many rely on grassroots settlement programs to help them get back on their feet after fleeing trauma.

For those serving them, it’s not just a job, but a way of life and an experience they may have lived themselves.

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Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star

The dance hall looks nothing like a professional studio — there are no hardwood sprung floors or wall-to-wall mirrors.

But nothing can dampen the enthusiasm and determination of these youthful dancers — many of whom have come to Canada on their own, without documents — to express their inner feelings and explore their passion for any dance form, from hip hop to salsa, dancehall, traditional African, jazz and break-dance. […]

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Tanya Talaga, Toronto Star

The first time I saw Mohsen, he was taking a shower in the middle of a concrete courtyard at an abandoned factory.

Dressed in a bathing suit and flip flops, the 15-year-old was scrubbing his hair underneath the cold, clear water that ran from a long garden hose held up on a pole. What struck me was how young he looked — and how much he resembled my own teenage son.

Mohsen lives illegally in a factory with dozens of other male teens. All the boys have fled Afghanistan. They are on their own, trying to illegally cross through Europe to get to Germany, Sweden or France, countries where they believe they’ll find a better life. […]

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Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star

On a recent Thursday, 11 asylum seekers streamed into Hearing Room 9 on the fourth floor of the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Toronto headquarters on Victoria St. But not to have their cases heard.

Instead, pen and notepaper ready, the claimants from nine countries paid careful attention to “tour guide” Dan Crawford, as he offered tips that could mean a lot to the success of their asylum claims. […]

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The Current, CBC Radio

Refugee advocates say the federal government’s omnibus bill includes potentially devastating changes to how Canada supports refugees and refugee claimants worry they could lose access to social assistance.

“Immigration is again tackling refugee claimants through a new omnibus bill” said Loly Rico, co-director of FCJ Refugee Centre to CBC Radio. Loly Rico was interview about the federal government’s omnibus bill that includes potentially devastating changes to how Canada supports refugees.

Provisions in Bill C-43 would allow provinces to impose residency requirements for access to social assistance for refugee claimants and other people without permanent status in Canada.

To hear the interview click here.