Diego Cardona: Don't refer to proposed Vancouver police guidelines as access without fear

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      We need policies that provide real “access without fear” and not just symbolic and vague guidelines that create a false sense of security for migrant communities with precarious or no immigration status.

      I stand in support of Sanctuary Health’s position that the Vancouver Police Department's proposed guidelines do not honour the spirit of the access without fear policy approved by Vancouver city council in 2016.

      Unfortunately, the guidelines continue to encourage collaboration with Canadian Border Services Agency when an officer has “legitimate or bona fide reasons” to do so. The definition of bona fide reasons is vague and large, which suggests it will be up to officers' discretion to make a decision.

      For those of us who know undocumented families, we have seen too many times how this model does not work for victims and witnesses. Racial profiling is real, my friends, and the main cause of deportations in cases where this was not necessary.

      Sanctuary Health is right in saying that while the VPD's proposed guidelines might be seen as a step forward in the right direction for many, we cannot call these guidelines “access without fear” as they do not honour the main principles of such a policy, which are:

      * to not inquire about someone’s immigration status;

      * and to end collaboration with the CBSA, unless a warrant for an arrest has been issued for an individual by a law enforcement agency (as stated in the policy approved by city council in 2016).

      This is an issue close and dear to my heart as a former refugee and migrant justice advocate with the Fresh Voices. However, in my current role as a candidate for city council I want to also offer solutions that help us move forward in developing a meaningful access without fear policy for the VPD. I should mention that solutions are not rocket science and advocacy groups like Sanctuary Health have been stressing them for years.

      Here are my quick additions to the debate;

      1) If the VPD wants to move forward with these proposed guidelines, do not call them “access without fear”. Do not appropriate a name that does not reflect the substance of its policy. Acknowledge that there is more work to be done and be open to continuing dialogue with communities affected and their representatives, but do not foster a false sense of security by calling this access without fear.

      2) Follow the spirit of the policies approved by city council, the Vancouver park board and the Vancouver library board—all which have tremendous support from the affected communities. These policies all state that collaboration with CBSA should only take place if a warrant for arrest is in place

      3) Listen to the many stories of the families connected to Sanctuary Health. The VPD should be aware that settlement organizations are forbidden by federal government funding guidelines to provide services to anyone who is not a permanent resident. Therefore, undocumented families rely on the support of local grassroots advocacy groups like Sanctuary Health.

      4) And here comes my election pitch, folks: elect a strong progressive mayor and council in October to continue pushing in the right direction. The mayor is the chair of the police board and council appoints one member. Yes that is only two votes out of nine. But until the provincial government finally decides to do away with the draconian governing structure of the VPD, in which it appoints the majority of the board while we (the city) provide the majority of the funding, this is what we have to work with.

      If Hector Bremner, Ken Sim, or Wai Young get elected mayor with their teams of reactionary council candidates, I can assure you that access without fear will not be one of their priorities. I think all of you know already know who I am supporting for mayor, Chief Ian Campbell, and yes you can vote for me too and my Vision colleagues.

      See you at today’s rally outside the VPD board meeting.

      Comments