Refugees are good for Canada
As we mark World Refugee Day, we recognize the struggles and celebrate the contributions of millions of refugees and the communities that host them. The theme this year is inclusion. This theme could not be timelier. As public headlines and political discourse are...
Victoria city councillor inspired by his refugee past to serve community
Victoria city councillor Sharmarke Dubow wants to make his beautiful coastal city a more liveable place for everyone. It’s no surprise then that he based his 2018 electoral campaign on a vision of a more inclusive and vibrant urban community with a strong focus on...
UNHCR’s Statement to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology – 29 May 2019
Statement made by Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the UNHCR Representative in Canada: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes to Canada’s asylum system as outlined in the Budget Implementation Act (BIA). Providing technical advice to increase efficiencies in...
How to help newly arrived refugees in your community
Wondering how you can help newly arrived refugees in your community? From donating clothing to sharing your skills and time, there are numerous ways you can make a refugee family feel welcome in their new home. Sponsor a family Private groups of individuals, worship...
UNHCR’s Statement to the Committee on Citizenship and Immigration – 7 May 2019
Statement made by Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the UNHCR Representative in Canada: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration regarding the proposed changes to Canada’s asylum system as outlined in the Budget...
Why cut legal aid to refugees?
By Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Canada Would you ask a victim of sexual abuse to share details about her ordeal? Would you ask a torture survivor to provide proof of every blow he endured? Or would you ask a child to recount every step they took while...
The high price of fighting for women’s rights
Ketty Nivyabandi is longing for her country, but she is determined to continue her fight for women in Burundi – a fight that caused her to lose her homeland. By Gisèle Nyembwe in Ottawa, Canada “It has been close to four years now. My most cherished dream is to...
Beyond Roxham Road: a story on irregular border crossing
18 months after having crossed the U.S.-Canada border irregularly, a Haitian refugee is doing what it takes to succeed in Canada By Gisèle Nyembwe in Montreal, Canada Pierre reaches into his backpack and searches calmly through a bunch of documents. He takes out a...