Category: News and Events

News and Events

Art and love for the community: A new landmark at the FCJ Refugee Centre

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.

Thank you, Alex!

Visit Alex Flores website to know more about her work and projects »

Music in the video by Aleksey Chistilin / Pixabay

A Call for Settlement Supports

Hon. Sean Fraser
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca

Hon. Michael Ford
Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, ON
Michael.Ford@pc.ola.org

Hon. Monte McNaughton
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills, ON Monte.McNaughtonco@pc.ola.org

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

Walking with Amal in solidarity with displaced children everywhere

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.

 

A Call For Action To End Labour Trafficking: How Collaboration Can Lead to Solutions

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.

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.

Hybrid Forum: A Call For Action To End Labour Trafficking

When: Wed, May 17, 2023 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Central Neighbourhood House:
349 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON M5A 2V8.
Register »

The Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network presents their annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week event on May 17th 10-12:30pm. This will be a hybrid forum to raise awareness and address the root causes of the ever growing labour trafficking issue in Canada. This forum will identify 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. We will also address the gaps in service in supporting victims and survivors in order to foster solutions to strengthen collaboration across sectors.

The forum will feature a panel discussion with experts from victim supporting organizations, advocates and researchers, and those with lived experience of labour trafficking in Canada. Topics covered in the forum will include 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.

Join this opportunity to discuss and actively strategize in supporting victims, survivors and their families, while emphasizing the included voices of those with lived experiences.

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. Join us for an engaging conversation on how we can work together to end labour trafficking in Ontario.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share and make a difference. Register now!

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.

* Lunch will be provided in-person following the panels
** A zoom link will be shared for those who registered for the virtual event
*** Please note, there is no free parking offered at the venue.

 

Our Spring Newsletter is ready!

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.

You will also find the FCJ Refugee Centre’s statement on the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement; information about the special event we hosted to say thanks to the vaccine ambassadors; and details of the forum focused on Labour trafficking organized by the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network, as a part of the annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.

Also, don’t miss out on everything that the Youth Network is launching, including a new podcast series!

All this, and much more, in our Spring Newsletter:

Download / View (pdf)

Recognizing the great work of the Vaccine Ambassadors

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

more grateful for their work.

Thank so much to all of you!

Gallery:

Let’s celebrate Toronto Newcomer Day!

First proclaimed in 2015, Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event held in May that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them understand and access a wide range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city

All Torontonians are invited to join in welcoming newcomers in Toronto with activities and entertainment at this showcase of Toronto’s diverse communities.

The event features a number of activities including a formal stage program, a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, a Newcomer Marketplace, and an Information Fair.

Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W

Event Highlights:

  • Entertaining performances
  • Colouring for children
  • Free beverages
  • Food Trucks
  • Interactive activities
  • Information Fair
  • Newcomer Marketplace
  • Newcomer food fair
  • Prizes and giveaways
  • Henna artist
  • HistoricTO Neighbourhood Walking Tours

Please visit toronto.ca/newcomerday for more information.

Our Street Party is coming up!

Let’s get together and build community! The FCJ Refugee Centre’s annual Diverse Residents, One Community Street Party is coming up!

Join us for this family event, where you’ll find activities for children, games, food, music, live performances, piñatas, and much more.

  • When: June 10, 2023, from 12pm to 6pm
  • Where: Right outside of the office location
  • Address: 208 Oakwood Ave., Toronto

You are invited to perform at our Diverse Residents, One Community Street Party festival on June 10th!

This is a good opportunity to show your unique talents through a day of music, dance, and food from all over the world.

Contact us before June 1st:

Volunteering Weaves Us Together

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!

 

FCJ Representatives Speak About Human Trafficking Before the House of Commons

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.

Safe Third Country Agreement: What is it? What is new? What are the exceptions?

U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) on Friday. The STCA, signed in 2002 and which came into effect in 2004, originally meant asylum seekers crossing into either Canada or the United States at formal border crossings were turned back and told to apply for asylum in the first “safe” country they arrived in. The deal announced on Friday comes in the form of a change to how the STCA is applied.

Until now the STCA prevented Canadian law enforcement from turning back asylum seekers who enter Canada from the United States at border locations that are not official ports of entry. Now it applies to the entire 6,416-km land border, and will allow both countries to turn back asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings. Roxham Road, which had become an unofficial crossing for asylum seekers into Canada, closed at midnight on Saturday.

However, there are exceptions that are important to be aware of. Learn about them and get the basic information about the Safe Third Country Agreement in the following document, updated by Bridges Not Borders – Créons des Ponts.

Click here to view/download the document if you can’t see it in this page.

FCJ Refugee Centre’s work, recognized with the Toronto Community Champion Award

FCJ Refugee Centre was selected as one of the 25 recipients of the Toronto Community Champion Award. The recipients were annouced this Monday at an award ceremony at the Toronto Reference Library.

Part of the Stronger TOgether initiative, funded in part by the Government of Canada, the Toronto Community Champion Award recognizes organizations that provided exceptional support for Torontonians through the pandemic.

FCJ Refugee Centre was awarded “for helping newcomers and undocumented individuals overcome the challenges of rebuilding a life in Toronto during the pandemic, by implementing a city-wide food security initiative and vaccine equity strategy; also for providing access to health care and assistance and accessing income and housing support.”

Residents were invited to nominate organizations that made a positive and lasting impact on their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the organisation of the awards, “the Toronto Community Champion Award provides an opportunity for the city to honour the collective commitment and unwavering determination of our communities to support each other through some of the most unprecedented times Toronto has ever experienced.

Recipients were chosen by a selection committee made up of community leaders from Volunteer Toronto, United Way Greater Toronto, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and City staff. Priority was given to organizations that were community-focused; demonstrated an inclusive and innovative approach to their work; served vulnerable populations; and provided community service as their primary focus.

Organizations honoured for their work include those that provided support to vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities, newcomers, the elderly or equity-deserving communities; worked to reduce social isolation; connected residents to vaccines; and addressed challenges such as homelessness and food security.

In Person – Beginner English Classes

* Registration for this program is now closed, as the maximum number of places has been reached.

Sign up for our free weekly English classes at the FCJ Refugee Centre!

  • Class: In person
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 24 weeks
  • Requirements: Commit to attend to every class for the 24 weeks
  • When: Saturdays, 1:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Starting: Saturday, March 25th
  • Where: FCJ Refugee Centre (208 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto)

Places are limited.

Our Winter Newsletter is ready!

Our Winter Newsletter is ready! We have a special edition focusing on the recently released report It Happens Here: Labour Exploitation Among Migrant Workers During the Pandemic, published by the FCJ Refugee Centre and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. It reveals that employer discrimination, unsafe working conditions and gaps in government policy put migrant workers at risk of being exploited once they arrive in Canada.

You will also find details of our new online informative sessions for migrant workers, and information and pictures from International Women’s Day.

Download / View (pdf)

International Women’s Day: Embrace Equity

On this International Women’s Day, and beyond, let’s all #EmbraceEquity.

A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA. And it’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.

The aim of the #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

“A sign of our strength and unity”: The launching of the ‘Regularize Now’ Quilt Project

The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change (MWAC) launched the quilt they sew together using pieces created by participants, migrants and from communities connected to migrant support organizations in Toronto, including FCJ Refugee Centre.

In the coming months this quilt will travel across Canada to different cities to raise awareness for the Status for All campaign by the Migrant Rights Network (MRN).

The launching of the’ Regularize Now’ Quilt Project took place last weekend at the “Beat the Bosses Bootcamp,” a labour justice event organized by Workers Action Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

Below is a transcription of the speech that a member of the FCJ Youth Group, participant in the Quilt Project from FCJ, delivered at the event:

Good afternoon, thank you all very much for being here.

The Quilt Project is a sample of how much strength and unity we have as human beings, and, since every action counts, we are very happy to know that many people put their creativity in this beautiful work that represents the call for the legalization of a dignified status for all.

For the FCJ Refugee Centre community it is very important to highlight equality among all members of the community, and that is why we joined this campaign, with the hope to fight and open roads to projects that allow regularizing a dignified status for all people. We firmly believe that the fight for rights is a team effort and we are proud to be here today working for the dignity of all migrants.

Coming to this beautiful country has helped me a lot to discover who I am. It is a difficult process being a migrant because of the language barrier, but thanks to the people who have given us support and love, I have been able to understand that being a neurodivergent trans person is not bad as I had it ingrained, I have accepted myself and I have understood that I am a wonderful person, that I have the courage to continue fighting and that I am not afraid to raise our own voice.

Now we want to be spokespersons for all the people who are on this path, so that they are not afraid to raise their own voices, so that they are not afraid to know who they are.

Each one of us is our own phoenix, we fall and rise from the ashes, ready to continue fighting this battle called life. We are all immigrants, we are people, we are brave and fighters in this journey.

We are all one.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Get the Facts, Talk About It

In 2020, the federal government proclaimed February 22nd as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada.

The crime of Trafficking in Persons was added to the Canadian Criminal Code in 2005, less than 20 years ago. The law criminalizes forced organ removal, forced marriage, indentured servitude, labour exploitation, and sexual exploitation. These crimes are commonly known as human trafficking.

Trafficking exploitation exist in many forms and usually entails victims being caused to provide sexual services or labour through force, coercion, deception and/or abuse of trust, power or authority. Human trafficking therefore results in substantial physical, psychological, and emotional trauma to the victims.

Human trafficking is still happening in Canada, and continues to take advantage of systemic issues such as poverty, inequity, and legislation focused on prosecuting criminals, as opposed to empowering communities and supporting survivors.

Underreported and unnoticed

Due to the reluctance of victims and witnesses to come forward and the difficulty in identifying victims, it is still difficult to assess the extent of human trafficking in Canada, but, according to the RCMP, between 2005 and December 2018, human trafficking specific charges were laid in 531 cases, with 327 victims involved. Of these cases 510 were domestic (primarily sexual exploitation), and 21 were international (primarily forced labour).

Labour trafficking is an especially underreported and unnoticed crime. Victims of labour trafficking are often with precarious status, afraid to come forward and extremely vulnerable to exploitation. Often, they are recruited before coming to Canada in their country of origin with a promise of legal documents and a new future in Canada. They work in inhumane conditions, underpaid or not paid at all and feel that they have no other options to leave. They work in all sectors. They work in farms, factories, restaurants, hotels, cleaning industries and may be your neighbour, your co-worker, or your contracted employee.

Labour exploitation happens here in Canada, and it happens here in Ontario, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted even more the social inequalities that allow human trafficking to continue.

You can help fight human trafficking by staying informed and informing others about the extent of the problem. Get the facts and talk about it:

  • Stay Awake Campaign: Here you can find content that raises awareness around the issue of human trafficking amongst precarious migrant youth, including information about labour trafficking, sex trafficking, the problem of isolation and how to become better allies for precarious migrant youth, service providers, etc.
  • It Happens Here: Labour Exploitation Among Migrant Workers During the Pandemic: A new research by FCJ Refugee Centre and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking shows that employer discrimination, unsafe working conditions and gaps in government policy put migrant workers at risk of being exploited once they arrive in Canada.
  • Human Trafficking news and events on the FCJ Refugee Centre website.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be a victim of forced labour or sex please contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010.

Concerns about labour trafficking increase amid higher demand for migrant workers in Canada

New research shows that employer discrimination, unsafe working conditions and gaps in government policy put migrant workers at risk of being exploited once they arrive in Canada.

FCJ Refugee Centre and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking’s newly released report, It Happens Here: Labour Exploitation Among Migrant Workers During the Pandemic, reveals that migrant labourers’ precarious immigration status makes them vulnerable to exploitation by recruiters and employers.

The report summarizes findings from a series of focus group discussions that convened 77 migrant workers in Ontario in early 2022, with the support of Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW). It highlights that many migrant workers are not aware that they have labour rights while working in Canada.

Some participants shared that they had been exploited in their home country and saw Canada as an opportunity to escape this form of abuse. As a result, many were surprised to learn this danger exists here. “I am still in shock because in Mexico I have heard about human trafficking, but I never thought I would be in this situation [in Canada]. I would always think: how could people fall into these situations? After this happened to me, I saw that it can happen to anyone,” said a focus group participant.

The report’s other findings include:

  • Migrant workers, especially those working in the agricultural and low wage sectors, are frustrated by policies that make it difficult to acquire permanent residency status and relocate their families to Canada.
  • Migrant workers’ primary concern is family separation, followed by low wages and employer discrimination.
  • Migrant workers’ safety was jeopardized due to limited healthcare access and COVID-19 testing, as well as by their inability to socially distance.

The report recommends that the federal and provincial governments implement additional safeguards to protect migrant workers from being exploited. More specifically, it calls on governments to:

  • establish Open Work Permits for all migrant workers;
  • ensure that migrant workers have greater access to information on their labour rights before, during, and after their arrival in Canada;
  • increase investments in on-site social services for migrants, including language training, legal aid, healthcare, and information on labour rights, and;
  • accelerate the federal government’s new family reunification policy for low wage and agricultural workers, and extend this policy to workers with young families.

“Migrant workers are essential to the Canadian economy and deserve justice, fairness, and appropriate attention from all levels of the government and employers. Many of them sacrifice time with their families to pursue work in Canada. Protecting them from being exploited in our communities should be a top priority for all of us,” said Julia Drydyk, Executive Director, The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. “Federal, provincial and municipal governments should increase funding to community organizations to provide more on-site services for low-wage migrant workers.”

In 2022, the Government of Canada announced a necessary policy change that will allow spouses and working-age children of migrant workers to relocate to Canada. Although this new policy will help address some concerns, additional steps are needed to reduce the exploitation of migrant workers.

“Migrant workers help Canada to fill critical labour shortages. With growing demand for new migrant labours, our concern about their safety and well-being is increasing. Unfortunately, existing policies can’t protect landed migrant workers who are already in a precarious situation, and will put new labours at higher risk of being victim of forced labour, discrimination and unsafe working conditions. This shocking reality should change before we welcome new migrant workers,” said Loly Rico, Executive Director, FCJ Refugee Centre.

Who is a migrant worker?

The term migrant workers refers to individuals who have moved to Canada to work, whether this was their primary intention or as a means of survival. In other words, they are foreign nationals who are not citizens nor permanent residents who engage in work in Canada.

Migrant workers can enter Canada via different programs, such as through the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which includes the Agricultural Stream and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).

Migrant workers also include people who enter Canada through irregular means, including entering as a visitor and remaining in Canada without status.

What is labour trafficking?

According to the Government of Canada, “labour trafficking is a form of human trafficking that can happen in a number of different industries. It involves recruiting, moving, or holding victims to coerce them into doing any kind of work.”

While labour trafficking can take place anywhere, it is more common in sectors that employ low-wage workers (e.g., agriculture, caregiving, hospitality, construction, etc.). Labour trafficking occurs when employers:

  • withhold pay and documents;
  • make false promises about working conditions, responsibilities, or pathways to citizenship, and;
  • issue threats of deportation and other punishment if the migrant pursues their rights.

The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking operates the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (1-833-900-1010), a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors of human trafficking, including labour exploitation with over 900 social and legal services nation-wide. 

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Aziz Froutan
Communications Manager
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
afroutan@ccteht.ca
647-714-2527

Carolina Teves
Associate Director, Communication and Access to Education
FCJ Refugee Centre
cteves@fcjrefugeecentre.org

About the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking:

The Centre is a national charity dedicated to ending all types of human trafficking in Canada. We work with like-minded stakeholders and organizations, including non-profits, corporations, governments and survivors/victims of human trafficking, to advance best practices, eliminate duplicate efforts across Canada, and enable cross-sectoral coordination by providing access to networks and specialized skills. We operate the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010, a 24/7, multilingual access to a safe and confidential space to ask for help and connect to services.

About FCJ Refugee Centre:

FCJ Refugee Centre serves refugees and others at risk due to their immigration status, overcome the challenges of rebuilding their lives in Canadian society. With an open-door approach, we offer an integrated model of refugee protection, education, migrant worker and anti-human trafficking support, and settlement services, including shelter for women and their children. We ensure victims/survivors of human trafficking have access to orientation, legal assistance and referrals, information about their immigration options, appropriate housing, employment support, counseling and other forms of psycho-social support.

1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 20