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OPEN LETTER to Immigration Minister: Donald Trump's inadmissibility to Canada

Under Section 36(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, foreign nationals who have been convicted of a crime in another country that would constitute an indictable offence "punishable by a maximum term of at least 10 years" under Canadian law are inadmissible to Canada. Mr. Trump was found guilty by a unanimous 12-person jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records with intent to defraud and intent to commit and conceal other crimes, including violations of tax law and New York election law that prohibits conspiring to promote a political candidate through unlawful means. In addition, he was held in criminal contempt twice and was fined a total of $10,000.00 for violating a gag order 10 times.

These criminal convictions would carry serious legal consequences under Canada's Criminal Code meeting the threshold for inadmissibility under s. 36(b). Criminal record checks are an important component of the security screening. If you are criminally inadmissible to Canada, you must:

• "satisfy an immigration or border services officer that you meet the legal requirements to be deemed rehabilitated;
• apply for individual rehabilitation and get approved; or
• receive a pardon or record suspension."

OPEN LETTER to UNHCR: Urgent appeal regarding the safety of asylum seekers in the United States

 

I am writing to you with deep concern regarding the recent shifts in US asylum policy and their immediate and profound impact on the safety and well-being of asylum seekers. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a vital role in upholding international refugee protection standards, and I urge your office to re-assess whether the US is still adequately observing equitable access to asylum and the principles of non-refoulement since President Donald Trump took office.

The policy measures introduced by President Donald Trump's executive actions on his first day back in office made one thing abundantly clear: that the US immigration system is being weaponized.

President Trump effectively shut down the US refugee protection system, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded with no clear pathway to asylum. He escalated the use of criminal prosecutions against those crossing irregularly into the United States and declared a national emergency to justify military deployment for immigration enforcement. His administration's 'mass deportation' strategy is designed to not just deter but punish those seeking safety. The measures taken by this administration not only create significant barriers to due process but also increase the likelihood that vulnerable individuals will be returned to situations where they face serious harm.

OPEN LETTER to Immigration Minister: Canada’s continued enforcement of the Safe Third Country Agreement

I am writing you to express my grave concerns regarding Canada’s continued enforcement of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) with the United States and urge the Canadian government to immediately withdraw from the STCA.

President Donald Trump’s executive actions on his first day back in office made one thing abundantly clear: the US immigration system is being weaponized and arbitrary detention, prolonged incarceration, and systemic violations of human rights are not the exception but the rule.

ASIAN PACIFIC POST: FOREIGN INTERFERENCE FEARS GROW IN CANADA

Gloria Fung, past-president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, voiced her concerns recently, stating that a significant gap remains because Ottawa has yet to appoint a commissioner or clearly outline the registry’s operational framework.

Fung, alongside representatives from other cultural organizations, participated in a news conference to highlight the persistent threats of foreign interference, including intimidation and coercion directed at diaspora communities.

New Democrat MP, Jenny Kwan, who also attended the event, criticized the government’s delay in launching the registry.

“Where is that registry? What does it entail, and what are the obligations for those affected? We have no clarity on any of these issues,” she said.

 

VIDEO: Message to US President Donald Trump

No 51 US State!  Message to US President Donald Trump, speaking at the "No 51 State" Rally in Vancouver

Canadian Press: Groups call on Ottawa to activate foreign influence registry as election approaches

Gloria Fung, past-president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, said Thursday there’s “still a vacuum” because Ottawa has yet to appoint a commissioner or explain exactly how the registry will work.

Fung appeared at a news conference Thursday with several other representatives of cultural communities concerned about meddling, intimidation and threats from abroad.

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan, who also took part in the event, accused the government of moving too slowly on the foreign influence registry.

“Where is that registry? What does that registry look like, and what are the requirements for people to follow the law?” she said. “We have none of that information.”

Neither the office of Public Safety Minister David McGuinty nor his department had immediate responses to questions Thursday about progress on implementing the foreign influence registry.

OPEN LETTER: Opposing Mayor Sim’s motion to Temporarily Pausing Net-New Supportive Housing Investments in Vancouver

I recall my time at City Council, while I was the lone opposition member in a 10 to 1 council and there werem any policy decisions where we had disagreement, when it came to approvals for both social and supportive housing in the City, we always acted in unison in support of those developments in our community. Indeed, “Vancouver has long taken a leadership role in providing supportive housing”, and it has done this regardless of whether or not other municipalities have fallen short in also providing social and supportive housing.

While I also agree that the City cannot be a lone actor in bringing about sufficient dignified social and supportive housing, health care supports, including the full spectrum of mental health, harm reduction, addictions supports and recovery care needed to serve residents living in the Downtown Eastside and beyond, instead of advancing collaboration and partnerships, this motion does the opposite.

Worse still, this short-sighted vision peddles the "Not In My Back Yard" sentiment as a solution to challenges in the community. It is sending the wrong message that the development of supportive housing is bad for neighbourhoods.

At a time where there is so much discord, fear and uncertainty in our community, elected officials across all municipalities and levels of government need to come together, not to sow division but to unite in collaborating and delivering real solutions that are evidence-based.

 

 

Media Release: MP Jenny Kwan Presents King Charles III Coronation Medals to Outstanding Community Leaders

Vancouver—Jenny Kwan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, presented the King Charles III Coronation Medals to another 12 outstanding community members at Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on February 24.

In December last year, MP Kwan presented the King Charles III Coronation Medals to 18 distinguished leaders in the community at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.  This is the second medal presentation for the Vancouver East Member of Parliament.

The Coronation Medal was established to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian medal to mark a coronation.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular provinces, territory, region or community of Canada, or who have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Toronto Star: This new Canadian immigration program is being heavily promoted by recruiters. Here’s why that’s causing concern

While foreign caregivers welcome the government move to grant them permanent residence upon arrival, Dulaca said Ottawa needs to immediately provide details about eligibility criteria, application procedures, applicable job experience and what documents are required and accepted. Details should not be released only on the opening day.

The concern is echoed by MP Jenny Kwan, the NDP’s immigration critic.

“There are serious concerns over the lack of any word from you on the details of such a program,” Kwan (Vancouver East) wrote in a December letter to Miller. “There is fear that your government could go back on its promise and that the new PR Pathway for Caregivers may not be put in place at all.”

 

City TV NEWS: Rally outside Vancouver college protests sudden termination of key English program

Dozens of students and instructors gathered at Vancouver Community College (VCC) Tuesday to protest the unexpected shutdown of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.

LINC, which has helped thousands of immigrants learn English, secure jobs, and work toward citizenship, is set to be terminated at the end of March due to federal funding cuts.

The move has left over 800 students without a clear path forward and more than 30 instructors without jobs.

“We found out just before winter break, and this was the first opportunity to get people together to raise spirits, because people have been really down.” said Frank Cosco, president of the VCC Faculty Association.