NDP response about refugees: Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Thanks for writing in. I could not agree more with your assessment of the appropriate role for Canada in dealing with this crisis. I believe Canada to be a nation built on principles of compassion, and increasing and expediting refugee resettlement while also providing increased relief on the ground is a fundamental expression of those principles.

Below, please find the party's outlined proposals for expanding our refugee resettlement program and increasing aid to agencies in the region. If you have any further questions or would like additional details, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll do my best to answer your question.

Thanks again for writing in and lending your voice in support of the refugees. 

The challenge:

·         The crisis in Syria has generated more than 4 million refugees and displaced more than 7.6 million Syrians within the country.[i]

·         This is the largest single refugee crisis in more than a quarter century.[ii]

·         According to the UNHCR, more than 2,500 people have died this summer crossing the Mediterranean, trying to reach Europe.[iii]

·         The UNHCR is aiming to resettle 130,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016. Canada has resettled 2,374 to date, with a commitment to take an additional 8,926 by the end of 2017.[iv]

·         François Crépeau, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, has called for the West to resettle 1 million Syrian refugees over the next five years.[v]

·         Canada’s share of the global total, according to Crépeau, would be 9,000 Syrian refugees per year.[vi]

The NDP Plan:

1.      RESETTLE 10,000 REFUGEES BY END OF YEAR, PLUS 9,000 A YEAR FOR NEXT 4 YEARS

·         Appoint a Syrian Refugee Coordinator to coordinate the resources of government departments to oversee processing, travel to Canada, and resettlement; and,

·         Bring in 10,000 refugees by end of 2015 and 9,000 a year between 2016 and 2019, making it a priority to keep families together.

2.    ACCELERATE ARRIVAL OF REFUGEES IN CANADA

·         Increase the number of immigration officials on the ground; and,

·         Work with provinces, territories, municipalities, and others to resettle refugees. 

3.    REMOVE BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES TO SETTLEMENT

• Work with Turkey and other affected countries to streamline exit requirements; and,
• Treat all refugees equally by ending Canada’s policy of discrimination on the basis of religion. 
  
  

4.      INCREASE CANADA’S HUMANITARIAN CONTRIBUTION

• Match Canadians’ humanitarian donations;
• Increase aid to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees; and,
• Help coordinate the response of the international community. 
  
  

5.    IMPROVE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

·         Fast-track private sponsorships, with no cap; and,

·         Provide temporary resident permits for Syrians who wish to come and stay temporarily with family.