Introducing the Refugee Family Reunification Project
Canada's immigration program is meant to allow people to reunite with immediate family members within a reasonable length of time. However, for refugee families, there are usually long and cruel delays, many obstacles, few resources to support applicants, and dire implications for family members involved. The government claims that family reunification is a priority, but its choices mean that families remain separated for years. Children are often affected.
The Refugee Family Reunification Project, which launched in January 2024, is designed to address the gaps related to family reunification for refugees, particularly in two areas:
- Providing practical support (tools and training) to support NGOs and others assisting people navigating the process
- Advocating for faster reunification and better processes
The initiative is coordinated by a small group of people with experience in different areas of refugee support work:
- Janet Dench served for 25 years as Executive Director of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), before stepping down in 2022. She brings her extensive experience in the practical aspects of family reunification, as well as advocacy campaigns.
- Laurel Borisenko worked for many years for the UNHCR, in the field and at the headquarters in Geneva. Before that she was Executive Director of Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, and Vice-President of the Canadian Council for Refugees.
- Julie Mathews served as the Executive Director of CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) for more than 20 years, and brings her extensive experience in public legal education and legal aid to this project.
- Mary Purkey has been active for many years in the CCR and is a former chair of the CCR Overseas Protection and Resettlement Working Group. She is the former co-founder and co-chair of the Bishop's-Champlain (WUSC) Refugee-Student Sponsorship Group. Since 2004, she is the coordinator of the Mae Sot Education Project. She brings long experience working with refugee youth to the project.
The national core group, based in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver Island and Sherbrooke, is supported by a wide range of experts and organizations, with participants from small and large centres across the country.
Interested in getting involved? Want to keep informed? Read more!