Coalition letters

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

Re: Independence of Canada’s refugee determination system

An independent review of refugee determination procedures at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) was established last spring to examine opportunities for enhanced efficiency and productivity.  To date, the results of this review have not been released. There are concerns that the government is considering undermining the role of the IRB as an independent quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for refugee determination in Canada. We are writing to insist that in any new scenario, the independence of the IRB and refugee determination system in Canada be preserved, and that the idea of eliminating the independent adjudication of refugee claims not be taken any further.

Open Letter to All Members of Parliament

Bill C-262 provides principled framework for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Our nations and organizations are urging all Members of Parliament to support Bill C-262 in a non-partisan manner when it comes to a vote at third reading.

The government of Stephen Harper endorsed the UN Declaration in 2010 and expressed “confidence” that the Declaration is consistent with Canada’s Constitution and legal framework. The government of Justin Trudeau has repeatedly pledged to fully implement the Declaration. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, whose Calls to Action have been widely endorsed by a wide range of political parties at the federal, provincial and territorial levels, urged all governments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as ‘the framework for reconciliation’ in Canada.  

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Sixteenth Session

Thursday April 27, 2017

Agenda Item 4

Speaker: Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild

Joint Statement by: Confederacy of Treaty No. 6; Amnesty International; Assembly of First Nations; Assemblée des Premières Nations du Québec et Labrador/Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador; Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee); First Nations Summit; BC Assembly of First Nations; Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers); Union of BC Indian Chiefs; KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples constitutes a social, political, legal, and historical reality. The Declaration recognizes that “respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment”.

The new American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in June 2015, affirms in Article XIX:

23 February 2017

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
mcu@justice.gc.ca

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
10 Wellington, North Tower
Gatineau, Québec K1A 0H4
minister@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca

Dear Ministers,

When it comes to ending discrimination against children, there is no excuse for half-measures and no time for delay.

Today marks 10 years since the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations launched an historic challenge under the Canadian Human Rights Act, a challenge aimed at compelling the federal government to finally end the longstanding, systemic underfunding of First Nations children’s services.

Re: Ongoing concerns about the multi-billion dollar sale to Saudi Arabia of light armoured vehicles manufactured in Canada.

Canadian Coalition on Human RIghts in China
c/o Amnesty International
312 Laurier Avenue East
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1H9

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2

November 13, 2015

Dear Prime Minister,

OTTAWA, Oct. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Over ninety organizations and First Nation communities sent an open letter to federal party leaders today urging them to prioritize funding commitments to end the drinking water crises in Indigenous communities.

The letter reads, "Despite repeated pledges from the federal government to ensure clean drinking water, there are routinely over 100 water advisories in effect in First Nation communities, with some communities living under advisories for over 10 years." Based on Health Canada and the First Nations Health Authority's latest figures, there are a total of 162 drinking water advisories in 118 First Nation communities.

Last week, Neskantaga First Nation demanded action from federal parties on its 20-year boil-water advisory, the longest running drinking water advisory in Canada.

The groups are calling on federal party leaders to:

• commit to investing $470 million annually for the next 10 years in First Nations water treatment and wastewater systems