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e-547 (Refugees)

E-petition
Initiated by Scott Fenwick from Edmonton, Alberta

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Whereas:
  • Canadians value helping others in their hour of need, whether they are near or afar;
  • Among those being welcomed to Canada as refugees at any given time, a significant number may be fleeing genocide or ethnically targeted violence;
  • The Government of Canada requires refugees and their dependants admitted into Canada to repay the costs of their transportation through the Immigration Loan Program (ILP);
  • Canada is the only country in the world that charges interest on its loans to refugees;
  • The Immigration Loan Program hurts the quality of life and livelihood of people who have already been victims of genocide;
  • Canada should help reduce the burden placed on refugees and not add to it, as the Immigration Loan Program does;
  • Refugees should be welcomed and not re-victimized;
  • Ignoring special challenges faced by survivors seriously harms their prospects for psychological recovery and life in Canada; and
  • Removing these loans would significantly improve refugees’ quality of life and allow the opportunity to truly experience life as Canadians and realize their true value in this country.
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to:
1. Waive travel loans for all refugees admitted into Canada;
2. View all refugees of any nationality fleeing conflict equally with regards to how they are assisted via the ILP or other government assisted programs; and
3. Increase funding for mental health, language, child care and other integration supports for all refugees who arrive in Canada going forward.
Government response tabled on August 16, 2017 (Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-2-06)
Open for signature
September 30, 2016, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
January 28, 2017, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East)
May 30, 2017 (Petition No. 421-01399)
Government response tabled
August 16, 2017
Photo - Jenny Kwan
Vancouver East
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia