NDP: END DISCRIMINATORY IMMIGRATION POLICY AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

OTTAWA – In order to repeal an existing law in Canada’s Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), NDP Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Critic, Jenny Kwan, is tabling a private member’s bill to remove the discriminatory clause. As it stands, Section 38(1) (c) of the Act discriminates against people with disabilities by allowing for the rejection of an entire family of applicants if one individual has a disability or medical condition.

“Enough is enough. The untold pain and suffering families have to endure when immigrating to Canada needs to stop,” said Kwan. “The government has been running consultations on the matter since October 2016. It’s now 2018, and the Minister has yet to take any steps in addressing an issue that is continuing to tear families apart.”

Section 38(1) (c) of the IRPA has been explicitly and repeatedly recognized by parliamentarians and committee witnesses as a policy enabling discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Families can be rejected if one individual has a disability or medical condition that officials believe could put “excessive demand” on Canada’s health and/or social services. This continues to be in place even though officials have confirmed that the “benefits” of the “cost-benefit” analysis are not in fact considered in this assessment.

“The Minister of Immigration admitted that Section 38(1) (c) of IRPA goes against Canada’s stated values on inclusion and the ideals we purportedly uphold as Canadians,” added Kwan. “Why is he not taking urgent action to end this discriminatory practice? How many more heart wrenching stories do we need to hear before the Minister acts?”

Melissa’s permanent resident application was rejected because her son, Robert, has Downs Syndrome. It was rejected even though medical assessments state that Robert is capable of taking care of himself and is able to work in an unskilled or semiskilled position. Melissa is a single mother who has been separated from her children for nearly a decade while she takes care of other people’s children. She explained, “I always thought Canada did not discriminate against people because they are different. I thought Canada had protections for people who are different.”

“Do the lives of families like Melissa’s not matter? What is happening is unconscionable. The Minister needs to see beyond the disability and must value the contributions of the entire family to Canadian society,” said Kwan. “There is no justification for this harmful discriminatory law to continue to be used. It is time to repeal Section 38(1) (c).”

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Vancouver Sun: Muslim groups join calls for B.C. Conservative campaign manager to resign

A coalition of Muslim organizations has joined calls for the resignation of B.C. Conservative campaign manager Katy Merrifield over past social media posts slamming Islam.

In June, Merrifield reposted a message on social media that said “Islam is a literal rape culture.” Merrifield quickly removed it and said the comment was a momentary lapse caused by her own past trauma.

But critics note she has not apologized for it, and has continued to amplify anti-Islamic statements on social media, including ones referring to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihad-loving mayor” and blaming Islam as a whole for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday, Musa Ismail, on behalf of Unified Muslim Associations in B.C. (UMABC), said party leader Lorne Doerkson should force Merrifield out.

Ismail said that, in the absence of action by Doerkson, no Conservative candidate is welcome at any Muslim centre or mosque during the B.C. election campaign.

UMABC joins the B.C. Muslim Association, NDP Leader David Eby, NDP Surrey City Centre candidate Amna Shah and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan, among others, in calling for Merrifield to step down.

Kwan called Merrifield’s comments “deeply disturbing and unacceptable” and said the posts stigmatize all Muslims and send “a chilling message” to B.C.’s Muslim communities.

“At no point has Merrifield apologized or taken responsibility for the hurt she has caused,” Kwan said in a statement. “Muslims are not collectively responsible for the actions of extremists, and no one should have to fear discrimination or hostility because of their faith.”

Doerkson did not address calls for Merrifield’s resignation in his public appearances in recent days.

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