Today’s heightened security context has led to examples that have mirrored a feeling of discrimination against those not of Canadian origin, including those perceived as such. Media coverage has at times irresponsibly associated entire groups linking them with terrorism, by virtue of religious or ethnic association with the crimes of others. People who care about justice and who seek an open and welcoming society defend the right to living without discrimination in Canada.
The deportation of a few Canadians has reportedly shocked many and the questions arise about passing on of suspicions about people of foreign origin. The problem of discrimination and the fear of deportation are real. However, this can be challenged with The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantees protection from discrimination. Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability – Section 15(1) of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
There has never been evidence of deportation through direct discrimination but essence of certain actions bring in whiff of evidence that supports certain conclusions by those in support of equal rights for all humans across the globe. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act transferred responsibility for security aspects of immigration from Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to the newly created Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Background check is normally a routine check and, therefore, was entrusted to the RCMP but the security intelligence network of organizations like CSIS works differently and concerns national security. Yes, cases requiring special investigation can always be escalated but to entrust routine procedures to a suspicion filled approach indicates the unwanted.
In mid 2009, a woman from Slovakia came to Canada with her family seeking refugee status. Probable ethnicity discrimination brought about persecution in their home country. Despite reporting of police beatings, attempted sterilization, and the constant threat of neo-nazi attacks, their refugee claim was been denied and they had to wait for long till they were to be conveyed about their Pre-Removal Risk Assessment application status. Many other Roma families had been sent back to Slovakia in the last stages. The claims were, however, denied. In the same year, a British born truck driver who became wheel chair born after a developed medical condition due to long hauls faced deportation. He had been living in Canada as a permanent resident since 2001 faced deportation because it was felt that there would be added economic burden for the tax payers and the country. The Immigration Act is not too friendly towards people who develop infirmities due to workplace hazards. This outlook would require