MP Jenny Kwan urges Liberal government to give U.S. notice that it will withdraw from Safe Third Country Agreement

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      Since Donald Trump became president of the United States, an NDP MP has been urging the Canadian government to stop returning refugee claimants to that country.

      Jenny Kwan, the NDP's critic for citizenship and immigration, has repeatedly demanded that Canada give the U.S. notice that it will withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement.

      This unique arrangement deems that people who arrive in Canada from the U.S. are ineligible to file a refugee claim and must be sent back to America.

      Last week, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the Third Country Agreement violates the constitutional right to life, liberty, and security of the person.

      That's because the judge, Ann Marie McDonald, concluded that refugee claimants are exposed to risks, including deportation, if they're forced back into Donald Trump's America.

      Justice McDonald gave the federal government a six-month window to remedy this situation.

      Following the ruling, Kwan issued the following statement:

      “When the Trump administration attempted to impose their travel ban in January 2017, it was obvious that the Liberal government could no longer count on the United States to live up to its international and humanitarian obligations, especially regarding the fair treatment of refugees. It was shameful that the Liberal government failed to act at that time.

      "The Federal Court decision today is an important and significant victory for the rights of asylum seekers. It stated unequivocally that the Liberals were wrong and allowed a policy that compromised the safety of asylum seekers. It makes clear that everyone, including those who face persecution, should have their basic human rights protected. Contrary to what Minister [Bill} Blair has said in the past, this proves that refugees are not simply ‘asylum shopping’.

      "This decision reaffirms what advocates, lawyers, academics, New Democrats, and thousands of Canadians have argued right from the beginning—that the Safe Third Country Agreement contravenes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by putting the lives of asylum seekers at risk.

      "This decision will undoubtedly save lives. We hope the Liberals will accept this important decision and not appeal it since too many people have already lost their rights. 

      "The Liberal government must now give notice to the U.S. immediately and withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement to stop being complicit in forcing asylum seekers to return to persecution, torture and even death. 

      "The Trudeau government must also review and repeal asylum system changes that were passed in Bill C-97 which effectively rendered those who have made a refugee claim in the 'Five Eyes' countries ineligible to make a claim in Canada.”

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