A letter to the Prime Minister Mr. Stephen Harper from Bishop Crosby, expressing his concern for the well being of Refugees and Immigrants regarding Bill C-4.
October 21, 2011
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
Canada has established an international reputation as a country that welcomes immigrants and refugees. The support for refugee claimants in Canada is extensive and serves to provide for the good of vulnerable people. The assistance we give to those arriving in Canada is emblematic of our nation’s respect for the human dignity of each person.
Why then is the Canadian government looking to pass Bill C-4 in Parliament, a bill that would allow the imprisonment and detention of individuals seeking refugee status in Canada? More importantly, why is a bill that violates the International Convention on the Status of Refugees being considered for approval at all?
This bill imposes the mandatory incarceration of groups of asylum seekers, including children, who arrive in Canada, even where there is no concern that the individuals present a danger or threat of any kind. It prevents any review of the imprisonment and detention by the Immigration Review Board for 12 months, much longer than the constitutionally guaranteed 48 hours now in existence. Moreover, Bill C-4 would remove the rights of refugees, including those whose status is confirmed, to obtain travel documents or to apply to become permanent residents of Canada for five years. As Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, where many refugees have sought asylum, I must strongly object to any Bill that allows for this kind of unjust and harsh treatment of refugees, especially children.
As a society, we must respect all people, in particular those who have often sacrificed everything in order to come to Canada. Bill C-4 gives the Minister the power to decide who should be incarcerated; its extensive power will mean that genuine refugees will be penalized because they have sought safety within our borders. It is especially disheartening to think that this government would consider the long term incarceration of children, the most innocent and vulnerable of all refugees. Bill C-4 originated out of a need to punish smugglers, but it has become a bill that punishes people who have suffered as a result of those very smugglers. Canada should not punish the innocent in a manner that violates both the Charter of Rights and ignores its commitments to international conventions.
Prime Minister Harper, I implore you to reconsider Bill C-4, recognizing the serious rights violations that may occur because of it. Let Canada continue to guarantee equality before the law. The dignity and respect of every person, especially children, should be of utmost importance in any Bill brought forward by the Canadian government.
Sincerely,
(Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby O.M.I.
Bishop of Hamilton