Close X
Saturday, January 25, 2025
ADVT 
National

Immigration Detainees On Hunger Strike; Want Meeting With Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale

The Canadian Press, 11 Jul, 2016 01:25 PM
    TORONTO — A group advocating for full immigration status for all migrants says more than 50 immigration detainees began refusing food Monday in two Ontario centres.
     
    The End Immigration Detention Network says the detainees are protesting prison conditions that include increasing lockdowns and the use of solitary confinement, and are calling for an end to indefinite detentions in maximum security prisons.
     
    The immigration detainees are asking for a meeting with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to discuss their concerns. A spokesperson from Goodale's office was not immediately available for comment.
     
    Those taking part in the protest are housed at the maximum security Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont., and the Toronto East Detention Centre.
     
    The End Immigration Detention Network says immigration detainees previously went on a hunger strike that began on April 21, and met with officials from Canada Border Services Agency.
     
     
    But the group says CBSA has not followed through on promises it made and the detainees have begun the new hunger strike — this time calling for a meeting with elected officials.
     
    "We would like to meet with MPs," said Toby Clark, who has been in immigration detention since August 2014.
     
    "To me, the way immigration detention is right now, it's cruel and unusual punishment," Clark said Monday in a release.
     
    Sharmeen Khan of End Immigration Detention Network said detainees are often on long lockdowns during the summer — sometimes kept in their cells for days in a row, unable to speak with their families, or get legal support.
     
    "Goodale must meet with the detainees, and commit to upholding international norms and basic human rights by ending immigration detention," Khan said.
     
    "Many of these detainees are already sick, this hunger strike could put them in grave danger."
     
     
    Goodale said in May that federal authorities were looking into alternatives to detaining newcomers, such as bail and electronic monitoring.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Made in Surrey Smoke Alarm Campaign Honoured

    Made in Surrey Smoke Alarm Campaign Honoured
    The “Award for Collaborative Excellence” recognizes the BC Working Smoke Alarm Campaign which has resulted in a marked increase of working smoke alarms in homes across the province.

    Made in Surrey Smoke Alarm Campaign Honoured

    Soaring House Prices In Vancouver And Toronto Unsustainable: Bank Of Canada

    Soaring House Prices In Vancouver And Toronto Unsustainable: Bank Of Canada
      Governor Stephen Poloz cautioned that those climbing real estate prices have outpaced local economic fundamentals like job creation, immigration and income growth.

    Soaring House Prices In Vancouver And Toronto Unsustainable: Bank Of Canada

    Wrestler Teddy Hart No Longer Facing Assault, Sex Assault Charges In Alberta

    Wrestler Teddy Hart No Longer Facing Assault, Sex Assault Charges In Alberta
    Hart, 36, is the grandson of Stu Hart, founder of Calgary's Stampede Wrestling, and nephew of famed wrestler Bret (The Hitman) Hart

    Wrestler Teddy Hart No Longer Facing Assault, Sex Assault Charges In Alberta

    Toronto Mom Who Removed Anti-abortion Flyers From Mailboxes Reconsiders Her Approach

    Toronto Mom Who Removed Anti-abortion Flyers From Mailboxes Reconsiders Her Approach
    Liz Phillips says she grew concerned about the flyers prepared by the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform, which show vivid images of fetuses in utero and post abortion.

    Toronto Mom Who Removed Anti-abortion Flyers From Mailboxes Reconsiders Her Approach

    B.C. Owner Makes Emotional Plea, Offers $10,000 Reward For Return Of Golden Eagle

    B.C. Owner Makes Emotional Plea, Offers $10,000 Reward For Return Of Golden Eagle
    British Columbia owner of a unique golden eagle statue worth millions of dollars is offering a $10,000 reward for its safe return.

    B.C. Owner Makes Emotional Plea, Offers $10,000 Reward For Return Of Golden Eagle

    Kathleen Wynne Urges Commons, Senate To Pass Doctor-Assisted Dying Legislation

    Kathleen Wynne Urges Commons, Senate To Pass Doctor-Assisted Dying Legislation
    TORONTO — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she will be very concerned if federal legislation on doctor-assisted dying isn't passed into law within a few months.

    Kathleen Wynne Urges Commons, Senate To Pass Doctor-Assisted Dying Legislation