LGBTQ at Risk Abroad

LGBTQ+ AT RISK ABROAD: CANADA’S CALL TO ACTION Report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Borys Wrzesnewskyj Chair JUNE 2017 42nd PARLIAMENT, FIRST SESSION Published under the authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons SPEAKER’S PERMISSION Reproduction of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees, in whole or in part and in any medium, is hereby permitt [...] The motion stated that the Committee examine the “feasibility of extending, expanding, and/or renewing a pilot project of this nature” and report its findings to the House.1 INTRODUCTION The Committee first heard about the pilot project to resettle refugees persecuted on the basis of their SOGIE during its study on immigration measures to protect vulnerable groups. [...] Consequently, the Committee recommends as follows: RECOMMENDATION 5 That the Immigration and Refugee Board accelerate and streamline the processing of legacy refugee claims and that the Government of Canada collaborate with the IRB to find efficiencies and additional resource needs for the IRB so that they can effectively process the legacy refugee claims. [...] As such, the Committee recommends: RECOMMENDATION 6 That Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conduct a SOGIE analysis of its existing policies, and assess the feasibility of implementing a system to track the number of LGBTQ+ refugees that Canada accepts annually, without compromising the security, safety and privacy of the individual. [...] However, Kimahli Powell, Executive Director of Rainbow Railroad, informed the Committee that the Netherlands provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ refugees immediately upon arrival, in contrast to Ontario’s policy of requiring a six week waiting period to access Ontario Works.79 1. Need for the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Program The Committee also heard of the benefits of the pilot project and R