2003:06 INFORMING IMMIGRANTS
Whereas:
Canada’s Immigration policies state that the Government of Canada, in consultation with Provincial and Territorial Governments, aims to match immigrants with Canada’s employment and settlement policies; and
Whereas:
many immigrants come from countries where the legal status of women and men differ in varying ways from the legal status of women and men in Canada as detailed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and exemplified in the number of women holding public office and represented in various professions and occupations; and
Whereas:
Canadian women have fought long and hard, and continue to fight to gain equality and their fair share of decision-making positions; and
Whereas:
an immigrant may work for or with women, or take a Canadian spouse, it is essential for their well-being and for their full integration, that Canadian culture be well understood; and
Whereas:
since the United Nations started collecting statistics in 1970 it has been revealed that every country had a disparity between the way it treated men and women and, to date, no country has done as well for its women as it did for its men. Canada ranked first in its treatment of immigrants for seven years in a row but eighth when it looked at its treatment of women only. In Canada, this usually meant differentials in employment and wages, in developing countries the difference included not only employment and wages, but access to nutrition, health care, and education; therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as its policy:
a. that all Canadian immigration offices have at least one person on staff able to explain the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms with all its legal and social implications for both men and women and also able to compare this with the legal and social position of men and women within the would-be-immigrant’s country of origin; and
b. to ensure that all would-be-immigrants, their spouse and family members receive this information both verbally and in print; and be it further
RESOLVED:
that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to:
a. ensure that all Canadian immigration offices have at least one person on staff able to explain the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms with all its legal and social implications for both men and women and also able to compare this with the legal and social position of men and women within the would-be-immigrant’s country of origin; and
b. to ensure that all would-be-immigrants, their spouse and family members receive this information both verbally and in print.