Category: News and Events

News and Events

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!

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.

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