OCASI

WAGE faces 80% budget cuts. This threatens decades of progress in women’s rights, 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion & gender justice. This affects us all.
OCASI joins organizations across Canada to speak out: http://ow.ly/vxwp50WxCsO

Happy from OCASI!

Canada puts refugee claimants at risk!
We call on the government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-2 and withdraw from the harmful Safe Third Country Agreement.
Read the joint statement by OCASI https://oca.si/zhdcin
with:
Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change
Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice
Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario

Vote For Equity For All
This federal election, let’s call on political party leaders to work towards a future where everyone on these lands will have the means and opportunity to thrive and prosper.
The next government of Canada must ensure a safe and healthy future for all by ending income inequality and moving people out of poverty, ensure everyone has a safe place to live, address climate change, end racism and systemic inequalities, and honour its obligations to Indigenous peoples.
Check out our equity priorities https://ocasi.org/vote-equity-all


The federal election will take place on April 28, 2025.
Get involved! Vote! https://www.elections.ca/

Toronto / April 4, 2025 - Today is the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Supreme Court ‘Singh Decision’.

In this decision the Supreme Court found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental rights of refugees. The Court decided that ‘everyone’ includes refugee claimants in the sentence: ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.’

Amid rising xenophobia, political polarization, and tightening borders, OCASI joins Canadian Council for Refugees and allies and partners across Canada to continue to advocate for justice and dignity, and the protection of fundamental rights of refugees.

OCASI endorsed an open letter issued by the Canadian Council for Refugees, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and Amnesty International Canada, together with more than 200 organizations, calling on federal leaders to commit to messaging and platform policies that honour refugees and newcomers.

Read the full letter and sign on as an organization or individual: https://lnkd.in/eZCyW99r

View “Action 2025: Defending Refugee Rights in Canada”, recording of our virtual Refugee Rights Day 2025 Panel Discussion Held on April 3, 2025: https://youtu.be/jptnLsii9UE

🚨 New panelist added: Defending Refugee Rights in Canada 🚨

Thursday April 3, 2025, 1pm EDT
Online via Zoom

Moderator:
Yvonne Su, Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies

Speakers:
Eusabio Garcia, Quaker Committee for Refugees
Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur, Rainbow Refugee Society
Alex Vernon, University of Detroit Mercy
Orlando Tovar, Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia

Simultaneous interpretation provided in English and French, and ASL

Register
https://oca.si/W-4-2025

🚨Nouveau panéliste ajouté ! Défendre les droits des réfugié.e.s au Canada

Jeudi, le 3 avril 2025, 13h HDE
En ligne, via Zoom

Modératrice :
Yvonne Su, Directrice du Centre for Refugee Studies.

Panélistes :
Eusabio Garcia, Quaker Committee for Refugees
Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur, Rainbow Refugee Society
Alex Vernon, l'Université de Detroit Mercy
Orlando Tovar, Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia

Un service d'interprétation simultanée sera offert en anglais et français, ASL et LSQ.

Inscrivez-vous
https://oca.si/W-4-2025

Action 2025: Defending Refugee Rights in Canada

Thursday April 3, 2025, 1pm EDT
Online via Zoom

Moderator: Dr. Yvonne Su, Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies
Speakers:
• Eusabio Garcia, Quaker Committee for Refugees
• Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur, Rainbow Refugee Society
• Alex Vernon, University of Detroit Mercy

Simultaneous interpretation provided in English and French, and ASL
Register: https://oca.si/W-4-2025

Action 2025 : Défendre les droits des réfugié.e.s au Canada

Jeudi, le 3 avril 2025, 13h HDE
En ligne, via Zoom

Modératrice : Dr. Yvonne Su, Directrice du Centre for Refugee Studies.
Panélistes :
• Eusabio Garcia, Quaker Committee for Refugees
• Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur, Rainbow Refugee Society
• Alex Vernon, l'Université de Detroit Mercy

Un service d'interprétation simultanée sera offert en anglais et français, ASL et LSQ.

Inscrivez-vous : https://oca.si/W-4-2025

Register: https://oca.si/Mar-W2025

For over half a century, Canada’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector has played a pivotal role in helping migrants build thriving lives in their chosen communities. As we look ahead to 2030, the landscape of settlement and integration is evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities.

Join us for an insightful discussion with sector leaders from across Canada as they explore the pressing issues of today and share their bold vision for a stronger, more inclusive Canada for all.

Moderator: Samya Hussan, Executive Director, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians

Speakers:
Carolyn Whiteway, Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies
Stephan Reichhold, Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Jean Goerzen, Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies
Kathryn Friesen, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies
Katie Crocker, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC

Simultaneous interpretation provided in English and French, and ASL and LSQ

Inscriptions : https://oca.si/Mar-W2025

Pendant plus d'un demi-siècle, le secteur au service des personnes immigrantes et réfugiées au Canada a joué un rôle clé, aidant les migrants à bâtir une vie épanouie au sein de leur collectivité choisie. Si nous pensons à 2030, force est de constater que le paysage de l'établissement et de l'intégration est en train d'évoluer, nous présentant tant des défis que des opportunités.

Soyez des nôtres lors d'une conversation pleine d'idées remarquables avec des leaders du secteur de partout au Canada, qui aborderont les questions urgentes d'aujourd'hui et partageront leur vision audacieuse d'un Canada plus fort et plus inclusif pour tout le monde.

Modératrice : Samya Hussan, directrice générale, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians

Panélistes :
Carolyn Whiteway, Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies
Stephan Reichhold, Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Jean Goerzen, Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies
Kathryn Friesen, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies
Katie Crocker, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC

L’interprétation simultanée sera assurée en anglais et français, et ASL et LSQ