Bill Siksay moved, — REMAINING 140 STATELESS VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS, until recently, 2,000 forgotten Vietnamese refugees remained stateless in the Philippines for over a decade and half without being given any status;
WHEREAS, this group of Vietnamese refugees represents the last group of “boat people” from Vietnam, stranded in limbo since 1989;
WHEREAS, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States have recognized these people as refugees and resettled the majority of them;
WHEREAS, Canada agreed to take up to 200 of these Vietnamese refugees;
WHEREAS, only 23 individuals from eight families qualified to come to Canada under the programme announced by the previous government;
WHEREAS, 140 individuals are left behind without a durable solution after 17 years of displacement and statelessness;
WHEREAS, Canada had a remarkable record for the resettlement of Vietnamese “boat people”;
WHEREAS, Vietnamese refugees who came to Canada as part of that important refugee movement have integrated well into Canada society and, as Canadian citizens, make important contributions to our communities;
WHEREAS, many Canadians including members of the Vietnamese Community in Canada are willing and able to be private sponsors for these 140 individuals;
WHEREAS, Canada accepts some 30,000 refugees annually and already has in place humanitarian and compassionate programs that would allow the resettlement of these individuals;
WHEREAS, the Vietnamese refugees remaining in the Philippines meet the criteria set under the ‘Country of Asylum’ class of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act which requires that the applicant:
- Be outside his/her country of citizenship;
- Has been affected by civil war or armed conflict; or
- Has suffered violations of human rights;
- Has no possibility, within a reasonable period of time, of having a durable solution; and
- Be privately sponsored.
WHEREAS, under Section 25(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration also has the power to grant permanent residence in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds;
THEREFORE, The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration requests the following:
1. The Honourable Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to allow the urgent resettlement in Canada of the remaining 140 Vietnamese refugees stranded in the Philippines on humanitarian and compassionate grounds under the ‘Country of Asylum’ class or using Section 25(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or via some other mechanism;
2. During this process, these individuals be required to undergo normal procedures like all other refugees admitted into Canada;
3. The Honourable Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to respond, in writing, to members of this Committee, within a reasonable period of time, the overall result of Canada’s efforts in providing a durable solution to this last group of ”boat people” from Vietnam.