Safe Third Country Agreement: a message from the CCR

A message and video from the Canadian Council for Refugees

“When faced with the indefensible, the best thing to do is stop defending it.” (Toronto Star editorial, 26 July 2020)

On July 22, 2020 the Federal Court ruled that sending refugee claimants back to the USA under the Safe Third Country Agreement violates their right to liberty and security protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court therefore determined that the Canadian legislation designating the US as a safe third country is of no force or effect. However, the Court ordered that its decision will only take effect after six months, in other words on January 22, 2021. But we cannot countenance six more months of human rights violations.

On 21 August, the government announced that they are appealing the decision. However, it is possible for them to withdraw the appeal.

Join us in asking the Government of Canada to:

  1. Immediately stop sending refugee claimants back to the United States and suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement.
  2. Accept the Court’s judgment and withdraw the appeal.

This is a crucial decision and it involves several different Ministers. It is important, therefore that the Prime Minister show leadership and do the right thing.

Contact Prime Minister Trudeau and your Member of Parliament with the two urgent requests outlined above.

You can also send a message through Amnesty International’s website.