Addressing Myths The Truth About Refugees and Immigration in Canada

Myth #1: Canada receives more than its share of refugees In Fact… In Fact…

Myth #1 Many other Western countries receive more refugee claimants than Canada, both in absolute numbers and per capita. Year after year, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have each received more refugee claims than Canada. Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland are 3 countries with more refugee claims per capita than Canada in 1998 a trend still in place today. Many other Western countries receive more refugee claimants than Canada, both in absolute numbers and per capita. Year after year, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have each received more refugee claims than Canada. Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland are 3 countries with more refugee claims per capita than Canada in 1998 a trend still in place today.

Myth #1 The majority of the world's refugees come from - and remain in - countries of the developing world. Only a small minority of refugees and asylum seekers make claims in the world’s richest countries, including Canada. In 2006, Tanzania alone hosted more refugees than Canada, France, Australia, the United States, Germany, Spain and Japan combined. The majority of the world's refugees come from - and remain in - countries of the developing world. Only a small minority of refugees and asylum seekers make claims in the world’s richest countries, including Canada. In 2006, Tanzania alone hosted more refugees than Canada, France, Australia, the United States, Germany, Spain and Japan combined.

Myth #1 While Syria, Chad, Kenya, Thailand, China, Iran and Jordan each hosted more than 250,000 refugees in 2006, Canada hosted only 43,500. While Syria, Chad, Kenya, Thailand, China, Iran and Jordan each hosted more than 250,000 refugees in 2006, Canada hosted only 43,500.

Myth #1 The number of refugees Canada accepts each year is less than a tenth of 1% of our population. The number of refugees Canada accepts each year is less than a tenth of 1% of our population.

Myth #1 Canada donates far less per capita in support for refugees abroad than Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland. In 2006 Norway donated over 9 times more money per capita than Canada to international refugee aid agencies. Per capita, Canada was only the twelfth largest donor to international refugee aid agencies in 2006 Canada donates far less per capita in support for refugees abroad than Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland. In 2006 Norway donated over 9 times more money per capita than Canada to international refugee aid agencies. Per capita, Canada was only the twelfth largest donor to international refugee aid agencies in 2006

Myth #2: Almost everyone who makes a refugee claim in Canada is accepted and those who are refused have innumerable appeals. In Fact…

Myth #2 Less than half of refugee claimants are granted refugee status. In % of refugee claims were accepted. The average acceptance rate over a period of 5 years ( ) was 48%. Less than half of refugee claimants are granted refugee status. In % of refugee claims were accepted. The average acceptance rate over a period of 5 years ( ) was 48%.

Myth #2 Despite the fact that refugee determination deals with matters of life and liberty, there is in fact no appeal on the merits for refused claimants. Review by the Federal Court is limited in scope and few claimants are even given permission to be heard by the court. There is a risk review, but it is very narrow and rejects over 95% of applicants. Despite the fact that refugee determination deals with matters of life and liberty, there is in fact no appeal on the merits for refused claimants. Review by the Federal Court is limited in scope and few claimants are even given permission to be heard by the court. There is a risk review, but it is very narrow and rejects over 95% of applicants.

Interestingly… “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” - Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 14

Myth #3: Refugee claimants can prolong their stay in Canada indefinitely because of government red tape. In fact… In fact…

Myth #3 There is very little a refused refugee claimant can do to delay removal. Even an application for humanitarian consideration does not postpone removal. There is very little a refused refugee claimant can do to delay removal. Even an application for humanitarian consideration does not postpone removal.

Myth #3 Over 5,000 refused refugee claimants were removed from Canada in Many other claimants left voluntarily. Over 5,000 refused refugee claimants were removed from Canada in Many other claimants left voluntarily.

Myth #4: Refugees who come to Canada using false documents are bogus refugees. In fact… In fact…

Myth #4 For many refugees fleeing persecution or death, a false travel document is the only means of escape. Often governments refuse to issue passports to known political dissidents - or imprison them if they apply. The fact that a claimant uses a false travel document tells us nothing about whether the person is a refugee or not. For many refugees fleeing persecution or death, a false travel document is the only means of escape. Often governments refuse to issue passports to known political dissidents - or imprison them if they apply. The fact that a claimant uses a false travel document tells us nothing about whether the person is a refugee or not.

Myth #4

Because refugees often cannot obtain all the necessary papers, international law prohibits governments from penalizing refugees who use false documents. Because refugees often cannot obtain all the necessary papers, international law prohibits governments from penalizing refugees who use false documents.

Myth #4 Most governments, including the Canadian government, require many travellers to have visas, creating an Most governments, including the Canadian government, require many travellers to have visas, creating an enormous obstacle for refugees trying to escape persecution. The more governments put up measures to stop people travelling to their territory, the more refugees are forced to use false documents and turn to smugglers to help them escape. enormous obstacle for refugees trying to escape persecution. The more governments put up measures to stop people travelling to their territory, the more refugees are forced to use false documents and turn to smugglers to help them escape.

Myth #4

MYTH #5: Real refugees are those who wait in refugee camps overseas. Those who make a claim in Canada jump the line and are not as deserving. In fact… In fact…

Myth #5 Refugees are people who have been forced from their homes by human rights abuses. All refugees have a right to protection, wherever they are. Saying that some refugees are more deserving than others is the same as saying that some human beings are of less value than others. Refugees are people who have been forced from their homes by human rights abuses. All refugees have a right to protection, wherever they are. Saying that some refugees are more deserving than others is the same as saying that some human beings are of less value than others.

Myth #5 We should not expect refugees to wait passively for someone to help them. Refugees do what they can to save their lives and the lives of their families. Refugees are survivors - and of those who make it to Canada, most have already survived a lot! We should not expect refugees to wait passively for someone to help them. Refugees do what they can to save their lives and the lives of their families. Refugees are survivors - and of those who make it to Canada, most have already survived a lot!

Myth #5

Canada has specific obligations towards any refugees on Canadian territory. Sending refugees back to persecution would violate international human rights standards.

Myth #6: Refugee claimants pose threats to Canada's security. In fact…

Myth #6 Refugee claimants are not threats to security – they are seeking security and protection from threats to their own lives. Refugee claimants are not threats to security – they are seeking security and protection from threats to their own lives.

Myth #6 It is far more difficult to enter Canada as a refugee than as a visitor, because the refugee determination process involves security checks by CSIS and the RCMP, fingerprinting and interviews. It is not likely that a person intending to commit a violent act would expose themselves to such detailed examinations. It is far more difficult to enter Canada as a refugee than as a visitor, because the refugee determination process involves security checks by CSIS and the RCMP, fingerprinting and interviews. It is not likely that a person intending to commit a violent act would expose themselves to such detailed examinations.

And now for some Comedic Relief… bs Russell Peters: How to Become a Canadian Citizen 6 minutes

Source: Canadian Council for Refugees Canadian Council for Refugees cts.htm cts.htm cts.htm cts.htm Accessed Dec 19, 2014 Accessed Dec 19, 2014