Refugees Archives - Nova Scotia Advocate

Media release: Thirteen groups and organizations send open letter urging MP Andy Fillmore to stand up for refugee rights in Canada

May 14, 2019 0 Comment

Media release: On Tuesday, May 14th, thirteen groups and organizations in Halifax issued an open letter to Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore, urging him to stand up for refugee rights in Canada. In particular, they urged Fillmore to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to withdraw proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Act in Bill C-97, and to scrap, rather than expand, the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement.

Halifax rally calls for migrant justice and justice for all marginalized communities

March 22, 2019 0 Comment

I went to a timely rally in support of migrant rights and against racism and Islamophobia. The event was organized by a broad coalition of social justice and anti-racism groups, and there is much more to come.

Media Advisory: Haligonians join international day of action in solidarity with the Central American caravans

November 24, 2018 0 Comment

From November 25-26, Haligonians will participate in an email and phone campaign calling on the Canadian government to break its silence and take concrete action in support of the Central American refugees and migrants who’ve trekked for over one month to reach to the US-Mexico border. This campaign is part of the International Day of Action in Solidarity with the Caravan and Exodus from Central America taking place on November 25th.

Media release: Halifax stands in solidarity with the migrant caravan

November 1, 2018 0 Comment

Media release: November 1, 2018 (Halifax) – On Saturday, November 3rd at 3pm community members in Halifax will gather at the Glitter Bean Cafe (5896 Spring Garden Road) to demonstrate their solidarity with the caravans of refugees and migrants currently en route to the US-Mexico border

Weekend video: I am today

June 24, 2018 0 Comment

This weekend’s video features Rupesh, Praise, and Marwa, three youth who came to Nova Scotia as refugees and share their experiences on camera. It’s very nice.

Halifax press conference pressures Province, Feds to allow Abdoul Abdi to stay in Canada

March 6, 2018 0 Comment

A press conference at Province House in downtown Halifax served as a reminder that the clock is ticking for Abdoul Abdi. Abdi is a Somali refugee who came to Nova Scotia when only six years old. As a teenager he got involved in crime, and as a consequence of these youthful mistakes he is now facing deportation. Nova Scotia shares much of the blame, a closer look reveals.

News brief: Feds continue efforts to deport Abdoul Abdi despite constitutional challenge

February 11, 2018 1 Comment

The federal government continues its efforts to deport Abdoul Abdi, the young man who came to Nova Scotia at the age of six, with his sister and two aunts, as jointly-sponsored refugees who fled Somalia. Abdi had asked Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, to suspend the deportation hearing while the Federal Court hears a constitutional challenge of the Minister’s decision to deport. The Minister refused this request and instead asked the Immigration and Refugee Board to proceed with a deportation hearing, hislawyer writes.

Julie Chamagne on Abdoul Abdi: ‘We need to show that we will not let him go’

January 9, 2018 0 Comment

Speech by Julie Chamagne at a rally in support of Abdoulkader Abdi, on the occasion of the Justin Trudeau Town Hall in Lower Sackville. Abdoul Abdi is a Somali refugee who fell through the cracks and faces immanent deportation to either Somalia or Saudi Arabia. He has ties with neither country. You can help.

Update on Abdoul Abdi

January 5, 2018 1 Comment

El Jones provides this quick update on Abdoul Abdi, the refugee who is at high risk of deportation to Somalia or Saudi Arabia, even though he has lived in Canada since he arrived here as a young boy. The speed at which they are moving suggests they are prioritizing deportation over all other issues, and despite the severe human rights issues in this case, they are pushing forward.

Deportation imminent for Somali refugee who grew up in Nova Scotia

January 4, 2018 2 Comments

Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of Public Safety, continues his efforts to deport Abdoulkader Abdi to either Saudi Arabia or Somalia, his lawyer reported yesterday. He has no family connections in either country, does not speak the language, and does not know the local culture. Deportation would separate Abdoul from his entire family who are all in Canada, including his Canadian-born daughter. None of this would have happened if Nova Scotia’s Department of Community Services had applied for Canadian citizenship on his behalf while Abdoul was a ward of the state.