Sanctuary is last chance for many

Churches, temples home to several adults, at least one family

KEN MEANEY, Canwest News Service

It may be cold comfort, but Abdelkader Belaouni, an Algerian refugee claimant who has been living in sanctuary in a Montreal church for over two years, is not alone.

Church basements and temples from St. John's, N.L., to Surrey, B.C. are home to six other adults and at least one family who have taken the desperate measure of seeking refuge to avoid a deportation order.

In Angela Portnoy's case, her five children have practically grown up in a church in Marystown, N.L. They've been living in the basement of Sacred Heart since October 2005, when they were ordered deported.

The tradition of places of worship as sanctuary goes back to ancient times, says Norma McCord, a United Church member in Ottawa who works with a network that assists refugee claimants.

But it can be a perilous refuge.

Four years ago, Quebec City police dragged Mohamed Cherfi, a failed refugee claimant, from a local church - the only time Canadian police have ever disregarded a church sanctuary.

In Surrey, B.C., this month, authorities had to back down after trying to remove Laibar Singh from the Sikh temple where the paralyzed refugee claimant has lived since Dec. 15.

A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, Chris Williams, says the law does not recognize sanctuary.

"The fact a person is hiding in a place of worship to avoid removal doesn't affect his case," he said. The agency is aware of eight cases of people in sanctuary across the country.

Those who leave sanctuary lose even that slim protection. Several people have been arrested while outside - including Alexi Portnoy, Angela's husband, who was later deported.

A warrant also was issued for Angela last October, when her application to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds was turned down.

There also is no protection for those providing the haven.

In its handbook for clergy on sanctuary, the United Church notes: "Those who offer sanctuary must realize ... assisting a refugee in that act of avoiding removal is breaking the law." Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees says people whose refugee claims have been turned down have three avenues: an appeal to the federal court, which hears only one of 10 cases put before it; an appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, which doesn't stay the deportation; and a risk assessment before the actual removal is carried out.

Alexi Kolosovs's appeal of his deportation order will be heard by the federal court in Toronto on Feb. 4.

Kolosovs argues he should be allowed to stay in Canada because of his unique skills as a netmaker, the impact on his grandchildren - who live an hour away - of losing him, and the fact he'll be sent back to Latvia, where he has no family and cannot speak the language. He also says the Immigration Department took too long - seven years - to decide to deport him.

Dench says while very few appeals are successful, people who seek sanctuary are often allowed to stay in Canada.

"It reflects the fact that many times a church, before they will decide to offer sanctuary, they will look very closely into the case. They don't offer sanctuary because somebody asks for it, they do it because they look at it and say this is a very, very compelling case. Presumably, that is part of the reason why, when the immigration officer or the minister looks at it, they see the same argument."

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=0a683648-a9fa-4b81-9d45-8388082bc274

Lawyers ask judge to dismiss Khadr case

Lawyers for Canadian Omar Khadr want a U.S. military judge to dismiss his terrorism case on the grounds that he was a child soldier when he was captured in Afghanistan in 2002.

They've filed a motion arguing that a military tribunal has no jurisdiction over Khadr because he was 15 years old when he allegedly threw a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier.

The motion contends that trying Khadr at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay would violate international law.

It is one of several motions being filed on behalf of Khadr, who's charged with murder in the 2002 death of American medic Sgt. First Class Christopher J. Speer in Afghanistan. He is also charged with spying, conspiracy and supporting terrorism.

Another motion argues the war crimes system set up by U.S. President George W. Bush to try terror suspects is unconstitutional because it was designed only for non-Americans.

Some of the defence motions are expected to be considered at a hearing next month.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/01/18/us-khadr.html

Journalists must answer questions about leaked report in Charkaoui case

The rights of a Montreal man accused of being a terrorist override journalists' privilege to protect their sources, according to a Federal Court ruling issued Friday.

Joël-Denis Bellavance and Gilles Toupin will have to answer questions about how they obtained leaked documents from a retired Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) agent that formed the basis for an article they wrote in June alleging Charkaoui once had conversations about a plan to hijack a plane and fly it into a building in Europe.

The journalists, both reporters for Montreal newspaper La Presse, must answer questions from Charkaoui's lawyers, who want to know more about the source who leaked the CSIS documents.
Noël ruled in favour of Charkaoui, stating that "the administration of justice and Mr. Charkaoui's fundamental rights have primacy over journalistic privilege and protecting sources."

Charkaoui, a Moroccan-born father of three, has been accused of being an al-Qaeda sleeper agent, and is subject to a ministerial security certificate issued in May 2003 that severely restricts his movement and activities.The CSIS documents obtained by Bellavance and Toupin were the main source of information for an article published on June 22, 2007 that alleged Charkaoui attended two al-Qaeda training camps and discussed a bomb plot with Hashim Tahir in June 2000.

The article alleged the leaked document was the basis for the 2003 security certificate against Charkaoui, based on information provided by the source.

In his ruling, Noël wrote that the document — Former Terrorist Training Camps in Afghanistan: Major Sites and Assessment — does exist, but is not part of the body of secret evidence used by the federal government to issue the security certificate.

Charkaoui's lawyers wanted to see the document because they have been denied full access to evidence the government used to justify the certificate.

Charkaoui has acknowledged he had hired Tahir to work in a pizzeria, played soccer with him and saw him regularly at a mosque, but has denied he was involved in a plot to fly a plane into a building.

Bellavance has already appeared at one of Charkaoui's trials to answer questions about the document. During his testimony, he refused to reveal the identity of his CSIS sources, citing journalistic privilege.

Charkaoui is involved in several court cases fighting his security certificate, which could lead to his eventual deportation to Morocco.

Later this year, the Supreme Court will hear his appeal contesting security certificate proceedings launched against him, in which he argues CSIS used tainted evidence to detain him.
The top court struck down ministerial certificates in February 2007, ruling they violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

But the ruling was suspended until next month to allow the federal government sufficient time to recast its security laws.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/01/18/qc-charkaoui0118.html

Judge strikes down law limiting refugee claims

Ottawa is appealing a court ruling that has the potential to significantly increase the number of people making refugee claims in Canada.

On Thursday, a Federal Court judge struck down the contentious Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States.

The agreement, which came into force in 2004, requires would-be refugees to make their claims in the first of the two countries in which they land. That has prevented claimants from landing in the U.S. and crossing the border to make an application in Canada, significantly reducing the number of claimants.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada said the number of claims filed at its land border offices in the U.S. dropped by 40 per cent in the year after the change.

Under this agreement, the U.S. is considered a safe third country. But in November, Justice Michael Phelan found the U.S. does not meet international requirements for protecting refugees or conventions against torture.

On Thursday, the judge went a step further, ruling the agreement would end on Feb. 1. But Citizenship and Immigration Canada spokeswoman Karen Shadd-Evelyn says the government will appeal, seeking a stay of the judge's decision until a higher court settles the issue.When the agreement was put in place, the government said the aim was to end "asylum shopping."

But the Canadian Council for Refugees, the Canadian Council of Churches, Amnesty International and a Colombian asylum seeker living in the U.S. filed a lawsuit against the agreement in Federal Court. The groups cited Maher Arar's deportation to Syria and subsequent torture as an illustration of the treatment refugees could face from U.S. authorities in the post-Sept. 11 era.

"Unfortunately the Canadian government, like many governments, is looking for ways to reduce the number of refugees that claim protection here," Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, told CBC News.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/01/18/refugees.html

Two years Too Many! Status for Kader!

Photo by Tatiana Gomez

On 1 January 2006, almost two years ago, Abelkader Belaouni, or Kader, a non-status Algerian man, took refuge in St. Gabriel's church in Montreal to avoid deportation from Canada. Despite an outpouring of support, he has remained a prisoner in the church ever since, unable to leave for fear of being arrested and deported. That's two years too many!

On 18 January, 2008 supporters sent a loud, clear message to the Canadian Immigration Minister to Act NOW to regularize the status of Abdelkader Belaouni.

Video
CBC News (6m30s into the video) - click HERE
Television Radio Canada - cliquez ICI

Radio
Info 690 - cliquez ICI

Print
The Gazette, Marchers Seek Humanitarian Reprieve - click HERE
Le Devoir, Réfugié depuis 750 jours dans un presbytère- cliquez ICI
Le Journal de Montréal, Manifestation en faveur d'Abdelkader- cliquez ICI
Red Deer Advocate, Letter to the Editor - click HERE
The McGill Tribune, Algerian Avoids Deportation - click HERE
The Hour, Two Years and Counting - click HERE

Photo-Essay:
Two Years Too Many - Click HERE

MANIFESTATION EN FAVEUR D'ABDELKADER

Janvier 2008 sera déterminant pour Abdelkader Belaouni, cet Algérien aveugle réfugié depuis maintenant plus de deux ans dans un presbytère pour éviter la déportation dans son pays d'origine.

Hier, dans une dizaine de villes canadiennes, dont Montréal, des centaines de Canadiens ont manifesté pour réclamer du gouvernement conservateur qu'il réévalue le dossier de Abdelkader pour enfin lui accorder le droit de résidence au Canada.

Il y a une dizaine d'années, Abdelkader avait fui la guerre civile dans son pays d'origine pour se réfugier aux États-Unis. Puis, après les attentats de 2001 au World Trade Center, avec le resserrement des mesures de sécurité aux É.-U., il a dû fuir de nouveau parce que les Américains voulaient le déporter en Algérie.

Craignant pour sa vie, il s'était réfugié au Canada. On lui a refusé le statut de réfugié politique et on lui refuse le statut d'immigrant parce, étant aveugle, il ne peut subvenir lui-même à ses besoins.

Asile

Craignant d'être déporté en Algérie, en 2006, Abdelkader a demandé et obtenu asile dans le presbytère de l'église Saint- Gabriel à Pointe-Saint-Charles.

Hier, il en était à son 748e jour de réclusion volontaire. Il ne peut sortir du presbytère de crainte d'être enlevé par les services d'immigration et d'être déporté en Algérie.

Plusieurs centaines de citoyens, les partis politiques d'opposition et près de 250 organismes de tous les horizons ont déjà accordé leur appui au demandeur de statut de réfugié et implorent la ministre Diane Finlay de réviser son dossier et de lui accorder la résidence canadienne pour des raisons humanitaires.

En janvier, le comité d'appui à Abdelkader entend organiser des manifestations dans plusieurs villes, envoyer des chaînes de lettres à la ministre de l'Immigration, organiser un concert de solidarité qui se tiendra le 26 janvier à l'église Saint-Gabriel et tenir une exposition de photos qui révélera au public le genre de vie que doit mener le réfugié depuis qu'il a demandé asile.

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal
DATE: 2008.01.19
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Nouvelles
PAGE: 35
ILLUSTRATION: 1. PHOTO D'ARCHIVES Abdelkader Belaouni vit dans une église.
BYLINE: GILLES PILON LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

Migrants target booming Algeria

By Rachid Sekkai
BBC Focus on Africa magazine

While many young Algerians are risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean on fishing boats to find opportunities abroad, Africans from south of the Sahara are risking their lives through dry and hot deserts to live and work in Algeria.

Marcel, 31, is one of the lucky African migrants to have made it into the country - more than 30,000 try each year.

The Ivorian says he entered Algeria legally through the borders with Mali and Niger, after obtaining a three-month visa on arrival.

But six months on he is still here - he wanted to carry on his education but dropped out at secondary level to support his family.

He pays around $2 a night to sleep with seven other immigrants in a single room in a dilapidated building, which he describes as an "African ghetto."

Lost in the desert

Clandestine immigrants in Algeria constitute 50 African nationalities, with Mali, Niger and the Gambia topping the list.

Sudanese and Libyan immigrants also find their way to the country.

It is easy to see why. Algeria is booming economically.

The country's foreign debt has fallen from $28 billion in 1999 to only $5 billion today, thanks largely to high oil prices and the government's tight fiscal policies.

But these young men risk the ire of the Algerian border police, not only to take advantage of this booming economy, but also with the hope of entering Europe over the Mediterranean.

Marcel himself spent the equivalent of $200 on his journey from Ivory Cost.

The truck that carried him and 44 others from the city of Kidal in Mali to their destination in Algeria became lost in the desert.

"I spent four days with little drink before the driver could find his way again," he recalled.

He says that he saw fellow passengers die in front of him on the journey.

"These immigrants prefer to risk their lives to come to Algeria rather than go to other neighbouring countries because - job opportunities aside - they know that if they perish on Algerian soil the authorities will work to identify their origins and send them back to their countries," says Sami Riyad, a journalist with the main Algerian independent El-Khabar daily.

"If unsuccessful, they will be buried properly here."

In comparison to its North African neighbours Morocco, Tunisia and Libya, Algeria is bearing the brunt of an immigration influx.

In response, the border authorities have set up a detention centre near the city of Maghnia where hundreds of illegal immigrants are being held awaiting deportation.

"It costs the Algerian government about $200 per person to deport them," Mr Riyad says.

Unsympathetic

But this does not necessarily mean Algerians welcome the immigrants.

"We feel a bit of racism here," says Marcel.

"Kids throw stones at us. We can't make friends with Algerians."

Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that, despite an oil-and-gas-rich economy that is rapidly heating up, there are not enough jobs for Algerians themselves.

The country currently has an official unemployment rate of 15%, although it is believed by some analysts to be double that.

Many migrants remain stuck in the wastes of southern Algeria

The Algerian press is equally unsympathetic.

Much ink has been spent in deploring the state of illegal Africans on the streets of the country's cities, but even more has been devoted to stories alleging that they are the cause of the increase in illegal activities such as trading in counterfeit currencies, goods and passports as well as the smuggling of drugs.

However, despite the challenges some Algerians feel black Africans pose to authorities in the country, the foreigners that many young Algerians are eyeing with caution are the Chinese migrants.

"The Africans don't pose a threat to us," says Mourad, a 30-year old medical consultant who lives in the middle-class area of Al-Biar, south of Algiers.

"They are just passing by. However, the Chinese workers seem to come here to stay. They have set up businesses and shops, and even started marrying Algerians."

And the fact that the Chinese are seen as muscling in on an already crowded job market has resulted in many young professionals looking to leave Algeria.

Defend the Border

The CBC’s new show can only help “the bad guys”

The phrase “defend the border” wasn’t always a metaphor. And it isn’t just a metaphor in many parts of the world, even today: some states do have to worry about overland military invasions.

Canada is not such a state. To the degree that it is, the only conceivable invader is, of course, the United States. Those in Canada who talk about “defending the border” are distinctly unconcerned about such a possibility. They are, instead, making an analogy for a set of power institutions designed to keep “them” out and “us” safe.

Some argue that the threat of terrorism to Canada is so great that it outweighs any mushy, politically correct concerns. The historian J.L. Granatstein, in his book, “Whose War Is It?” makes such claims (1). So, with its new show, does the CBC, a point to which I’ll return below. Stripped down to basics, his argument is that Canada, to be safe, needs to subordinate its foreign policy to the US and join its War on Terror wholeheartedly, instead of half-heartedly. The most incredible aspect of his book, however, is that Granatstein relies on fiction – literally, entirely fictional scenarios about Muslim terrorists releasing poison gas in a Toronto subway at the same time as a natural disaster on the West Coast – to demonstrate how Canada needs to have better military preparedness. Granatstein can’t find real threats to justify his policy suggestions, so he makes them up. The detention of over a dozen young Muslim men in Toronto for over a year, accused of some sort of convoluted terrorist plot and possibly entrapped by the authorities, suggests that perhaps Canada’s police and intelligence agencies are also in the business of making up threats (2).

To read more click HERE

Laibar Singh remains in Canada!

On December 10, 2007, more than one-thousand protesters at the Vancouver Aiport helped to stop the planned deportation of Laibar Singh, a paralyzed refugee claimant from India.

On the early morning of January 9, 2008, Canadian Border Services Agency officials again tried to deport Laibar Singh, attempting to remove him from a Sikh Temple in Surrey, British Columbia. But, hundreds of protesters blocked their way.

Laibar remains with friends near Vancouver, but still faces removal.

--> An updated compilation of news and background info is linked HERE.

Organizations and individuals who stand in support of community mobilizing efforts to stop the deportation of Laibar Singh, please send a statement or short note to noii-van@resist.ca


"No borders, no nations, stop the deportations!"

Apaches rise to defend homelands from Homeland Security

By Brenda Norrell
Human Rights Editor
UN OBSERVER & International Report

RIO GRANDE, Texas – Apache land owners on the Rio Grande told Homeland Security to halt the seizure of their lands for the US/Mexico border wall, during a national media conference call Monday. It was the same day that a 30-day notice from Homeland Security expired with the threat of land seizures by eminent domain to build the US/Mexico border wall.

"There are two kinds of people in this world, those who build walls and those who build bridges," said Enrique Madrid, Jumano Apache community member, land owner in Redford and archaeological steward for the Texas Historical Commission.

"The wall in South Texas is militarization," Madrid said of the planned escalation of militarization with Border Patrol and soldiers.

"They will be armed and shoot to kill."


Read the full article HERE.

Marchers seek humanitarian reprieve

Blind Algerian refugee claimant Belaouni has been living in a church for two years

IRWIN BLOCK, The Gazette

Supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni, a failed Algerian refugee claimant, took their protest underground yesterday.

After a rally in Phillips Square, an estimated 100 demonstrators descended to the métro level of McGill station and surprised lunch-hour shoppers and diners in the underground city with marching music and slogans.

Led by the 12-member Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble, they shouted: "Two years is too many" - a reference to Belaouni's living in the presbytery of St. Gabriel's Church in Point St. Charles for more than two years.

He sought sanctuary there on Jan. 1, 2006, after losing his bid for refugee status and failing to get a reprieve on humanitarian and compassionate grounds to remain in Canada as a permanent resident. He was ordered deported in January 2006.

The fact Belaouni, 40, is blind and has diabetes adds merit to his claim for humanitarian treatment, his supporters said.

Belaouni left the city of Oran, Algeria, where he worked at his family's grocery store, and fled to the United States in 1996, at the height of the murderous civil war in his native country.

According to Rev. James Macdonald, parish priest at St. Gabriel's, Belaouni is in good spirits because he has a strong support group, many of whom were among the demonstrators.

"He often has someone bringing him food or teaching him piano or the flute or guitar," Macdonald said.

Belaouni deserves to stay in Canada because he has lived in Montreal since March 2003, Macdonald added.

"The sprit of the law gives life. The application of the letter of the law produces death," he told protesters.

Outremont MP Thomas Mulcair, of the New Democratic Party, told demonstrators his caucus believes "deporting a blind man under current circumstances ... is simply unacceptable."

Thierry St-Cyr, the Bloc Québécois MP for Jeanne Le Ber, said he is impressed by Belaouni's simplicity and kindness and by how well he has integrated into the community.

"He can contribute to the community, even if he is blind and in sanctuary," St-Cyr said, noting Belaouni regularly hosts a radio program on CKUT from the presbytery.

After winding through midtown Montreal, the protest ended in front of Citizenship and Immigration offices on St. Antoine St.

St-Cyr added his voice to others appealing for federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley to intervene. Her office in Ottawa said the minister had no comment.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=00f02309-9cf5-4973-b58e-4dc5f688c2d8

La France créé un fichier informatique de surveillance des indésirables

Associated Press

Paris

Le gouvernement français a créé par un décret publié dimanche un fichier informatique des étrangers faisant l'objet d'une mesure d'éloignement de son territoire, après l'annulation en mars par le Conseil d'État d'un fichier similaire pour un problème de forme.

Le décret autorise la création d'un traitement automatisé de données à caractère personnel, dénommé ELOI, relevant du ministère chargé de l'Immigration.

Ce fichier a pour but de «permettre le suivi et la mise en oeuvre des mesures d'éloignement» et «d'établir des statistiques relatives à ces mesures et à leur exécution», selon le décret.

Parmi les données personnelles susceptibles d'être enregistrées dans le fichier ELOI figurent notamment le nom et les prénoms, le sexe, les date et lieu de naissance, la nationalité, l'identité du père et de la mère, celle des enfants ainsi que leur date de naissance, une photographie d'identité, les langues parlées et l'éventuelle «nécessité d'une surveillance particulière au regard de l'ordre public».

Hormis les deux dernières, ces données pourront être conservées jusqu'à l'expiration d'une période de trois ans courant à compter de l'éloignement effectif.

Quand l'étranger fait l'objet d'une assignation à résidence, les nom, prénoms et adresse de la personne qui l'héberge seront enregistrés dans le traitement ELOI. Ces données devront être effacées au plus tard trois mois après la fin de l'assignation à résidence, est-il précisé.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20071230/CPMONDE/71230067/5281/CPMONDE

Deux bateaux chargés d'immigrants clandestins arrivés aux Canaries

Un immigrant clandestin descend d'un bateau. Photo Reuters

Agence France-Presse

Madrid

L'afflux d'immigrants illégaux africains dans les îles espagnoles des Canaries s'est poursuivi dès le début de 2008 avec l'arrivée de trois bateaux transportant 126 clandestins, mardi, a-t-on appris de sources officielles.

Un cayuco, embarcation de pêcheurs en bois, transportant 40 personnes dont deux mineurs, a été remorqué jusqu'à Ténérife, la plus grande des sept îles de l'archipel des Canaries, où il a accosté à 03H30 du matin (02H30 GMT), a indiqué un responsable des services de secours maritimes.

Il avait été auparavant repéré au large de ces îles qui font face aux côtes marocaines.

Un deuxième bateau, avec 28 personnes à son bord, est arrivé sur l'île de Lanzarote, cinq heures plus tard, selon un responsable local. Il a été tracté jusqu'au port d'Arrecife, capitale des îles Canaries, par un patrouilleur de la police maritime.

Une troisième embarcation, avec 58 immigrants, dont deux femmes, a été remorquée jusqu'à Los Cristianos mardi soir après avoir atteint le sud de l'île de Gran Canaria.

Au cours des 11 premiers mois de 2007, un total de 17.038 immigrés illégaux sont arrivés en Espagne sur 704 embarcations, selon l'agence Europa Press. La plupart ont touché les côtes espagnoles aux Canaries.

Sur la même période de 2006, un total de 37.647 immigrants avaient débarqué sur les côtes espagnoles à bord de 1.111 embarcations.

Le chiffre a reculé en raison d'un accroissement des patrouilles côtières, selon les autorités.

Début décembre, plus de 140 migrants illégaux, dont 90 Africains, sont morts dans des naufrages, en tentant de rejoindre l'Europe à bord d'embarcations de fortune, sur la Méditerranée et l'Océan Atlantique.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080101/CPMONDE/801010602/5281/CPMONDE

Demande de recours collectif contre Immigration Canada

Louise Leduc

La Presse

Entre 1994 et 2004, le gouvernement fédéral a encaissé 700 millions de dollars aux dépens d'immigrants à qui il a facturé des sommes nettement exagérées pour leur accorder des visas, estime un trio d'avocats. Ils viennent d'obtenir la permission d'intenter un recours collectif qui pourrait toucher plus de 12 millions de visas.

La décision est tombée hier: non, cette cause n'est pas farfelue, et les tribunaux devront se pencher sur le fond de la question, a tranché la Cour fédérale.

Cela fait 13 ans que l'avocat Richard Kurland, de Vancouver, qui représente des multinationales à la recherche de personnel à l'étranger, travaille d'arrache-pied à ce dossier.

À coup de demandes répétées d'accès à l'information - que peut présenter tout citoyen qui souhaite obtenir une information du gouvernement -, M. Kurland a réussi, bribe par bribe, à apprendre par exemple qu'à Taipei (Taiwan), produire un visa de visiteur coûte 7$. Or, on exige 75$ du demandeur.

Pour un visa d'immigrant? Les frais d'administration liés à la production du document - vérifications d'usage, entrevue avec un employé de l'ambassade, etc. - s'élèvent à 360$, selon les renseignements qu'a obtenus M. Kurland. Les étrangers qui le réclament doivent toutefois débourser 550$.

Selon M. Kurland, tout cela est d'autant plus inacceptable dans le cas du Québec, qui est la seule province à sélectionner elle-même ses immigrants. Pour immigrer ici, un candidat aura d'abord dû payer 390$ pour son certificat de sélection et 150$ pour chaque personne à sa charge. «Vu que le Québec a déjà pris sa décision et fait le gros du travail, qu'est-ce qui reste tant à faire aux autorités fédérales pour qu'elles réclament plus de 550$?» demande M. Kurland.

Une fois qu'ils sont acceptés, les futurs immigrants doivent enfin payer 490$ en «frais d'établissement». Une taxe à l'établissement, quoi. Avant l'arrivée au pouvoir de Stephen Harper, cette taxe était deux fois plus élevée (975$); le premier ministre a ainsi respecté sa promesse de la réduire. C'est un pas dans la bonne direction mais, aux yeux de bon nombre d'avocats spécialisés en droit de l'immigration, il reste encore beaucoup de ménage à faire.

Joseph Allen, avocat et président de l'Association québécoise des avocats et des avocates en droit de l'immigration, croit que les trois juristes (Richard Kurland, Lorne Waldman et Gerard Cuttler) qui pilotent le recours collectif ont une cause plus qu'intéressante devant eux. «Aussi bien à Ottawa qu'à Québec, les gouvernements ne rendent pas des services à la hauteur des frais qu'ils exigent, dit M. Allen. Au Proche-Orient, il faut souvent trois ou quatre ans pour que les dossiers soient traités.»

Pendant ce temps, l'argent dort dans les coffres et prolifère. «Les chèques des demandeurs ne sont d'ailleurs pas faits au ministère de l'Immigration, mais au Receveur général, à Ottawa, et au ministère des Finances, à Québec, fait remarquer Patrice Brunet, avocat en droit de l'immigration au Québec. Ça sert à engraisser le fonds consolidé de ces deux ordres de gouvernement.»

Selon les avocats qui pilotent le recours collectif, il n'est pas acceptable que le gouvernement fasse des profits sur les services qu'il offre - des profits que Richard Kurland évalue à au moins 25%.

Mais comment les personnes en cause seront-elles jointes? Selon l'avocat Richard Kurland, seulement 15% de toutes les personnes qui pourraient être admissibles au recours collectif vivent à l'étranger. La majorité est déjà au pays grâce à des visas temporaires.

La décision rendue hier par la Cour fédérale ne touche que les gens qui ont présenté une demande de visa entre 1994 et 2004. Cette période a été retenue pour des raisons techniques, mais Richard Kurland entend dès lundi entreprendre d'autres démarches pour inclure les demandeurs plus récents.

Le ministère de la Citoyenneté et de l'Immigration, à Ottawa, n'a pas voulu commenter, hier. Karen Shadd-Evelyn, responsable des relations avec les médias, s'est bornée à dire: «Il s'agit d'une affaire complexe. Nous examinons la décision de la Cour et les options qui s'offrent à nous sur le plan juridique.»

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080105/CPACTUALITES/801050826/5358/CPPRESSE

Lipan Apache plea for help, Homeland Security deadline to seize lands January 7, 2007

Lipan Apache women and elders issued a call for help to resist the seizure of their lands.

By Margo_Tamez

This is a request for immediate intervention on behalf of indigenous land title holders of the rancheria of El Calaboz, La Paloma, and El Ranchito in South Texas. I am writing to you this evening as the indigenous peoples of El Calaboz, La Paloma and El Ranchito rancherias in South Texas express grave fear for their safety, their livelihoods, and being ripped violently apart from our sacred lands held in our communities prior to contact with Spanish settlers and empresarios, and thereafter, in continuity.

Elders, such as Eloisa Garcia Tamez, and others in our communities threatened with Eminent Domain, by the Department of Homeland Security and carried out by Secretary Chertoff, have authorized me to request immediate emergency intervention from the International Indian Treaty Council at this time.

The 30-day period which Chertoff forced upon the threatened communities will expire on January 7, 2008.

Today, an emergency national conference call was held to address key concerns of the South Texas independent indigenous rancherias whose lands are not only physically on the International Boundary (IB), but also whose traditional and titled lands (by Spanish, Mexican Republic and Texas Republic title) are dissected by the IB and are also in Tamaulipas, Mexico.

We are communities of both indigenous Hleh pai nde'--the Light Gray People, the independent Lipan Apache of the San Pedro de Carricitos Land Grant of 1786. As well we are communities of Basque-Nde' and Basque-Comanche peoples who are the First Peoples of the contact period after 1745 when Basque laborers toiled under harsh conditions and mixed in with the indigenous of the region to survive colonial mission, presidio, hacendado and empresario rulers.

Today the impacted communities of South Texas held a conference call with allies from Tohono O'odham, Yaqui, Jumano Apache, as well as a team of committed civil and human rights attorneys, land grant attorneys, human rights attorneys, activist organizations, and academic activist-scholars from the University of Texas system. We heard the voices of the first impacted communities of this horrendous 'border security project'--the voices of mothers, daughters, uncles, fathers, and grandparents whose lives and lands are currently under threat of eminent occupation on January 7, 2008.

Tonight, my mother, Eloisa Garcia Tamez, expressed to me that more and more elders are giving up--and considering surrendering to Secretary Chertoff, due to their advanced age, their sense of hopelessness, isolation and extreme fear of an impending sense of doom which the national media churns out daily on the television and papers--militarized violence.

This fear is not unfounded. Our community is all too familiar with militarization, as we are a hyper-militarized and occupied region.

My mother, tonight, fearfully recalled to me the reason why she believes some elders will surrender and sign the waiver which will forcibly relocate them. In the mid 1930's the army came to build the so-called 'secure levee'--which was forced upon the community. At that time the army constructed a dangerous levee system, against wishes of the the traditional indigenous farmers--my great grand parents and grand parents, grand uncles and grand aunts included. At that time, they forced a massive destruction of the traditional fields, and flooded our all of our families to the south of us. Women, children and elders were flooded out and vanished horrifically--a dramatic display of hyper-militarized power to dominate through terror, and bring my ancestors under the authority of the U.S. Army.

My mother retold me, tonight, that she remembers how during this time period the U.S. Army and Border Patrol ran their vehicles into the front doors of the small jacals (traditional shelters, or 'gowas'--wickiups) and how she ran and ran ... in fear of being run over and killed and seeing her family destroyed. She recounted how they burst open doors and forced their way in the homes and how she hid under the bed as the soldiers destroyed everything in their maniacal rampages against the indigenous. Thus, tonight, the elders, who were also vulnerable teens and young children at that time--again--specifically regarding the trauma associated with the U.S. Army Engineers' 'levee', are all too cognizant of the subversive ways of the U.S. government, forced occupation and militarized terror tactics. They fear that none will ever know that it will happen again--because the level of policing and Marshall law at the I.B. is so hyper militarized, so naturalized and so normalized that no one would even blink an eye if they are all overrun again.

Therefore, as the days draw close to the January 7 deadline, more elders who are sick, exhausted and overstressed by the national terror being focused upon the small and defenseless rancherias --are talking about surrendering.

We empathize with them and are encouraging them through our voices and prayers. However, my mother and many others, are gaining strength and productive structures to express and organize their outrage and sense of justice --from the national and international support pouring into us. We are firmly committed to the longer struggle for justice.

Our community has fought hand to hand with U.S. soldiers in prior waves of empire, and we will not, as my mother says, ever surrender. My mother gave me permission tonight to go forward and to request formally that the IITC step in on our behalf and respond with immediate intervention, for this is a struggle that is inclusive, and foregrounds an indigenous democracy--one that is horizontal and far-reaching. At this time, we invite you to join the Working Group.

The Working Group is holding a national press conference telephonic call on Monday, January 7, 2006.

We will keep you advised of further details regarding the legal and political defense of the land title holders of El Calaboz rancheria.
Respectfully, Margo_Tamez To Margo Tamez

From Bill Means, International Indian Treaty Council

As one of the founders and present Board Members of the International Indian Treaty Council I want to give my total support to saving your tradtional lands and comunities. You are right that unless there is massive support the US general public will never know or care about what is happening on the US-Mexico border. The continuous Human Rights violations by the US must be exposed. Is it only white people who are welcomed to the US? Where is the Statue of Liberty for the Southern Border of the US? Where is Ellis Island? Give Me your tired, your hungry, your huddled masses! Is this just for white people? The US policy on the US-Mexico border is totally racist! IITC is in support!

Toksha, Bill

Harper says accommodation right approach to immigration

Dec 23, 2007

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper heaped praise on Canada's record of both accommodating and integrating immigrants, rejecting the notion that the country is facing a crisis involving newcomers who won't embrace Canadian values.

"Notwithstanding the debate in Quebec and some of the debate during the Ontario election campaign, I first of all think immigrants come to this country to belong to this country," Harper said in a lengthy answer. "I also think that the Canadian approach to this, which is a mixture of integration and accommodation, for lack of a better term, is the right approach."

The remarks, part of a year-end interview with The Canadian Press, put distance between Harper and the raging rhetoric among Quebec politicians over the limits of "reasonable accommodation" of immigrants in the province.

Premier Jean Charest launched an examination this year into the issue, prompting some to air ugly views during public forums on the place of immigrants in Quebec society. Top politicians including the Bloc Quebecois' Gilles Duceppe, Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois and Action Democratique Leader Mario Dumont have all suggested new immigrants should be sent signals on the nature of Quebec values.

Harper said Canada's not perfect, but he doesn't share the same sense of alarm..

"I know there's a popularly expressed view that immigrants come here and they should change to suit the country. I think they overwhelmingly do. But I think the fact is our country also consciously changes somewhat for new immigrants and new cultures, and I think that's a successful model. I think if you look around the world for issues of immigration and cultural integration, Canada is as successful as any other country in this regard."

The prime minister also touched on racial politics in Ontario, and critics who have warned of burgeoning fundamentalism within the Islamic community. The debate flared up this month when a Muslim-Canadian was charged with the murder of his teenaged daughter, allegedly because she would not wear a traditional headscarf.

During the Ontario election in the fall, the Progressive Conservatives there stirred the debate over reasonable accommodation by proposing the province fund private schools, including religious ones. The idea cost party leader John Tory the election.

"In Ontario, there's been some concern about radical elements in the Muslim community, but these are at the margins," he said. "The fact of the matter is there aren't cultural tensions in the country, there generally is a healthy process of integration along with accommodation and if you focus on the Islamic community, yes there are extremist elements but they are small and marginal and the problems we face in this country compared with other countries are tiny."

Harper's Conservatives have been working hard over the past several years to build bridges with various ethnic communities and try to wrest away some of the support they have traditionally lent the Liberals.

Still, the Tories themselves - along with the federal opposition parties - helped fuel some of the debate around reasonable accommodation this fall as they examined federal voting rules. They all pressed the Chief Electoral Officer to use his special powers and force Canadians to show their faces when voting during a series of Quebec byelections.

There had been no previously identified problem of Muslim women asking to vote with their faces veiled, and Canadians still have the option of voting by mail with no visual verification required. Photo identification is still not a requirement in the law, either.

Harper said his cabinet has been discussing issues of Canadian identity and how to foster a sense of Canadian values.

"We probably need to have some thought about what the shared values really are, and how we strengthen those, but that said I don't see a cultural fragmentation in this country, I just don't see it."

Bruce Anderson, president of Harris-Decima Research, said Harper's approach seems to mirror how Canadians feel about the issue of racial harmony.

"Voters in Canada have tended pretty routinely in the past to saying, 'Look, we know we have a fragile consensus.' On balance, rather than blow that consensus up because we have strong opinions, we'd rather bury our strong opinions and make the fragile consenus continue to hold."

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5grdewjVoVAoTYSzxR79lom6Kh4rA

Is Official Multiculturalism Failing in its Own Heartland?

By Caylan Ford and Joan Delaney Epoch Times Canada Staff

Jan 03, 2008

Immigration will account for all of Canada's net labour force growth within the next 10 years. And within the next 25 years, it will account for all of the country's net population growth. (Photos.com)

Since the era of Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney, Canada has been viewed by governments and international bodies the world over as a leading example of the successful accommodation of ethno-cultural diversity.

The United Nations, the World Bank, and several developed nations have looked to imitate the Canadian model of multiculturalism in their policies, and political leaders have called Canada the most successful pluralist society on the globe.

Indeed, since 1971, Canada's practice of encouraging its diverse ethnic communities to preserve their heritage — as opposed to assimilating into the dominant culture — has been one of its defining characteristics, trumpeted by our leaders as being precisely what makes this country great.

Yet in 2007, the multicultural model came under intense scrutiny — a trend likely to continue into 2008 — and many now argue the policy has outlived its usefulness.

Canada continues to have the highest per capita immigration in the world, taking in an average 250,000 new immigrants per year.

In Citizenship and Immigration Canada's 2007-2008 Report on Plans and Priorities, CIC Minister Diane Finley said immigration will account for all of Canada's net labour force growth within the next 10 years. And within the next 25 years, it will account for all of the country's net population growth.

"Immigration is vital to Canada's cultural diversity and economic prosperity," said Finley.

With an aging workforce and fertility rates well below replacement levels, bringing in more immigrants is something Canada's very future depends on. And our multicultural policy has made it one of the most desirable destinations for immigrants.

But how well are these new immigrants adjusting to life in Canada? Recent studies have shown that many newcomers do not self-identify as "Canadian," perhaps by virtue of their ability to retain their native traditions and remain culturally distinct from mainstream Canadian society.

A 2007 study showed, for example, that visible minority immigrants are less likely to identify themselves as Canadian, less likely to vote, and less likely to trust fellow Canadians. The statistics for the children of newcomers were even more dismal.

Many have believed that Canada's official multiculturalism rendered it impervious to the type of racial divides the plague much of Europe. Yet findings such as this one suggest that multiculturalism — at least in its current form-may instead exacerbate feelings of racial exclusion by sanctioning cultural distinctions.

In 2007, these cultural distinctions were often at the heart of the news in French-speaking Quebec.

In the Quebec town of Herouxville, which doesn't have a notable immigrant community, the local government passed a code of conduct for immigrants. Among other things, the code prohibited the burning and stoning of women and endorsed women's right to drive, write cheques and choose their own spouse.

Canada's reputation as a tolerant, pluralistic society received another blow in Quebec last spring when Action Democratique du Quebec leader Mario Dumont campaigned on the premise that accommodating religious practices had gone too far.

The ADQ party's popularity jumped from four to 41 seats in the March election.

It was on the heels of this that Quebec Premier Jean Charest ordered a series of hearings on the issue of what constitutes the 'reasonable accommodation' of immigrants, which took place in 17 locations across the province between September and December.

The sentiment expressed in the hearings ranged from concerns that immigrants' values and customs will damage the province's hard-won secular way of life, to outright prejudice against non-Francophone cultures.

An October poll published in La Presse found that a large majority of Quebecers are against accommodating religious minorities. For instance, as many as 70 per cent opposed allowing Muslim girls to wear the hijab while playing soccer and 65 per cent thought the hijab should not be allowed in schools.

But Quebec may not be the canary in the coalmine, signaling the beginning of the end of Canadian multiculturalism.

"Quebec clearly has a special concern over identity," says Elliot Tepper, a professor of political science at Carleton University and author of a number of studies on multiculturalism and diversity issues.

"They have a longstanding core issue of identity within the Canadian Confederation. What we're seeing today is just one more example of that deep-seated concern."

Lawrence Berg, Canada research chair in human rights, diversity and identity at the University of British Columbia, believes that Canada need not rethink multiculturalism altogether, but instead simply work harder to help new immigrants integrate while at the same time being more accommodating and respectful of the traditions they bring with them.

"It's not that immigrants are choosing not to integrate, it's that it's very difficult to integrate."

Canada needs to be more accommodating of immigrants' religious differences and "the requirements that come from those cultural and religious differences," he says.

Among the barriers to integration, says Berg, is a "low-level, background racism" present in Canada that immigrants encounter in their daily lives. Because of this, many often prefer to remain within their own communities, which can result in the formation of "ethnic enclaves" in cities.

As for the risk of Canada losing its own culture in the effort to accommodate newcomers' differences, Tepper says the "integration aspect" of immigration over time has meant that the country has evolved and adapted with each new wave of immigrants.

"Cultures are either growing or dying. Ours is not dying. It's evolving rather well; it's evolving in a very cosmopolitan fashion."

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-1-3/63557.html

Study suggests Quebec needs to attract skilled migrants

A new report by the Conference Board of Canada (CBC) says that Quebec could face a shortfall of 292,000 workers by 2025, rising to 363,000 by 2030. One possible solution would be to increase immigration of skilled migrants.

The non-profit research outfit's report, entitled 'From Baby Boom to Labour Crunch: Quebec's Impending Labour Shortage', stated that the amount of available skilled labor most likely peaked in 2007 and will gradually subside over the long term. By 2030, the labor shortage will amount to 8.5 percent of Quebec's total labor force. Ontario, in comparison, only has a projected labor force shortfall of 6.2 percent.

"Tight labour markets are no longer an exclusively Western Canadian concern. Quebec is already facing a lack of workers with specific trade skills, and more generalized labour shortages could be felt in the broader economy as early as 2010," said Marie-Christine Bernard, Associate Director.

CBC said that, in practice, a large fall in the number of available workers is not economically sustainable. A severe labor shortage would result in a quick increase in wages, prompting companies to replace labor with capital equipment.

CBC feels there is no "simple solution" to the impending shortfall. However, the organization proposed a few possible approaches, including attracting more skilled migrants and streamlining recognition of foreign credentials.

Yolanda James, Quebec's immigration minister, also stated that the French-speaking province of Canada needs to increase immigration. Her party would like to see the annual quotas raised from 46,000 migrants to 60,000.

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2007-12-28/quebec/report-says-quebec-faces-labor-shortage-needs-skilled-migrants.htm

Video: Refugee claimant's church sanctuary

To view video:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=858&cpvid=1

Abdelkader Belaouni has marked the second anniversary of his deportation order from Canada. The 40 year old, who is blind and suffers from diabetes, found refuge in a Montreal presbytery January 1st, 2006. The Algerian Muslim was living in the U-S but says following the 9-11 attacks, he was placed on a special registration list and his passport was confiscated. He feared imprisonment and deportation to Algeria, prompting his move to Canada in March 2003. Citizenship and Immigration Canada denied his refugee claim on the grounds he was unemployed and had no family in the country. His case has gathered support from about 250 organizations in Quebec and M-P's from each of the four major political parties. From the Canadian Press, I'm Roger Ward.

Refugee claimant hopes for freedom after two years in church sanctuary

MONTREAL - An Algerian refugee claimant who faces deportation says his dream of Canadian status still burns brightly two years after taking sanctuary in a church.

"I feel like I am in jail without reason," Abdelkader Belaouni said Saturday, the second anniversary of his deportation order from Canada.

"I didn't do something wrong. I pay for the office of the immigration's mistake."

Belaouni, who lost his vision 15 years ago and suffers from diabetes, found refuge in a Montreal presbytery on Jan. 1, 2006, days before a warrant was drawn up for his arrest.

He lives in a cramped upstairs room of the century-old building, nestled between two Catholic churches in the city's Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood.

The grocer from Oran, Algeria feels safe among his possessions - including a small bed, keyboard and blind-assisted computer - but the wait is a lonely one, he says.

"It's small, but for me it's many things," said Belaouni, his eyes closed tight behind oval sunglasses.

"For me, it's my world."

Belaouni immigrated to New York City in 1996 after civil war erupted in Algeria.

But as an Algerian Muslim, he said he faced racial backlash in the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Belaouni said he was placed on a special registration list because he came from a country with a Muslim majority, and his passport was confiscated.

He feared imprisonment and deportation to Algeria, prompting his move to Canada in March 2003.

After his arrival, Belaouni worked as a volunteer for several community groups in the working-class neighbourhood, but never found a job.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada denied his refugee claim on the grounds he was unemployed and had no family in the country.

Belaouni's case has gathered support from about 250 organizations in Quebec and MPs from each of the four major political parties. A committee was established to fight for his cause.

Thousands of people have signed petitions, taken part in community marches and sent postcards to the immigration department on his behalf, he said.

"My case is a very strong case," said Belaouni, whose friends also supply his food and medication.

In a letter addressed to federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley in May 2007, his supporters asked the ministry to intervene.

Bloc Quebecois MP Thierry St-Cyr, who represents Belaouni's riding, said refugee claimants have the right to appeal decisions in law, but the government has yet to set up the system.

"I believe that Mr. (Belaouni) didn't have a chance to have a fair decision," St-Cyr said on Saturday.

"We know that he's well-integrated... into his community. He's willing to work to contribute to society, so I believe that his situation should be regularized and that the minister should take the appropriate measures to correct this situation."

Finley's office would not comment on the specific case, but said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees views Canada's refugee policy as an example for other countries.

"I will say that Canada has a fair, internationally-recognized system for providing refuge for those fleeing persecution in their home country," Finley's spokesman Tim Vail wrote in an e-mail Saturday.

"It is imperative for the integrity of this system that all individuals respect our immigration laws."

Meanwhile, Belaouni will continue to host a monthly radio program called "Hour of Power" on a community station. His show tackles social issues, such as poverty and youth support.

"I want to find justice and this is the best country in the world you can find justice," he said through his thick accent.

"If not find justice in Canada, you'll never find it."

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5rjNzg5RWjaOzz5WdAAXh-c_x7g

CP: Refugee claimant hopes for freedom after two years in church sanctuary

Original article HERE.

MONTREAL - An Algerian refugee claimant who faces deportation says his dream of Canadian status still burns brightly two years after taking sanctuary in a church.

"I feel like I am in jail without reason," Abdelkader Belaouni said Saturday, the second anniversary of his deportation order from Canada.

"I didn't do something wrong. I pay for the office of the immigration's mistake."

Belaouni, who lost his vision 15 years ago and suffers from diabetes, found refuge in a Montreal presbytery on Jan. 1, 2006, days before a warrant was drawn up for his arrest.

He lives in a cramped upstairs room of the century-old building, nestled between two Catholic churches in the city's Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood.

The grocer from Oran, Algeria feels safe among his possessions - including a small bed, keyboard and blind-assisted computer - but the wait is a lonely one, he says.

"It's small, but for me it's many things," said Belaouni, his eyes closed tight behind oval sunglasses.

"For me, it's my world."

Belaouni immigrated to New York City in 1996 after civil war erupted in Algeria.

But as an Algerian Muslim, he said he faced racial backlash in the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Belaouni said he was placed on a special registration list because he came from a country with a Muslim majority, and his passport was confiscated.

He feared imprisonment and deportation to Algeria, prompting his move to Canada in March 2003.

After his arrival, Belaouni worked as a volunteer for several community groups in the working-class neighbourhood, but never found a job.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada denied his refugee claim on the grounds he was unemployed and had no family in the country.

Belaouni's case has gathered support from about 250 organizations in Quebec and MPs from each of the four major political parties. A committee was established to fight for his cause.

Thousands of people have signed petitions, taken part in community marches and sent postcards to the immigration department on his behalf, he said.

"My case is a very strong case," said Belaouni, whose friends also supply his food and medication.

In a letter addressed to federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley in May 2007, his supporters asked the ministry to intervene.

Bloc Quebecois MP Thierry St-Cyr, who represents Belaouni's riding, said refugee claimants have the right to appeal decisions in law, but the government has yet to set up the system.

"I believe that Mr. (Belaouni) didn't have a chance to have a fair decision," St-Cyr said on Saturday.

"We know that he's well-integrated... into his community. He's willing to work to contribute to society, so I believe that his situation should be regularized and that the minister should take the appropriate measures to correct this situation."

Finley's office would not comment on the specific case, but said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees views Canada's refugee policy as an example for other countries.

"I will say that Canada has a fair, internationally-recognized system for providing refuge for those fleeing persecution in their home country," Finley's spokesman Tim Vail wrote in an e-mail Saturday.

"It is imperative for the integrity of this system that all individuals respect our immigration laws."

Meanwhile, Belaouni will continue to host a monthly radio program called "Hour of Power" on a community station. His show tackles social issues, such as poverty and youth support.

"I want to find justice and this is the best country in the world you can find justice," he said through his thick accent.

"If not find justice in Canada, you'll never find it."