Immigration
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May 15, 2024
Globalization of human rights and its universal standard | Tega Adjara
In an increasingly interconnected world, the globalization of human rights standards has become a pivotal force in shaping the global community. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international bodies, such as the European Commission of Human Rights and the Canadian Human Rights Commission play significant roles in advocating for and upholding universal standards of human rights across the globe. This essay explores how these organizations advocate for women’s rights, protester rights and other human rights issues, transcending geographical boundaries and challenging the influence of national governments and legislators.
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May 15, 2024
‘Conduct’ in U.S. pivotal in upholding of Nygard extradition: legal mind
Manitoba’s highest court has confirmed that alleged criminal “conduct” in a foreign land sits at the heart of weighing the issue of “double criminality” in extradition cases, says a legal mind following the failed attempt by a fallen fashion mogul to keep from being sent to the United States to face sex-crime and racketeering charges.
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May 14, 2024
Top court’s refusal to hear bid to fire Ottawa JP ends clash involving executive, judicial branches
The recent end of a high-profile Ontario case highlights the risks posed to public confidence by “inflammatory” — yet well-motivated, “accurate” and “valid” — public criticisms of the justice system from a member of the judiciary and by pushback from the executive branch of government that might be seen as the Crown weaponizing the judicial discipline process against an outspoken judicial officer.
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May 14, 2024
Huge increase in immigration access to information requests: The problem and solutions
Recent news reports have revealed that access-to-information requests for immigration matters now account for 80 per cent of all of the requests made for government files. The number of access applications has mushroomed and so too has the backlog. The situation has reached a crisis and is only getting worse. In order to understand what can be done, we must first ask why there are so many requests directed at immigration officials.
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May 10, 2024
Canada announces additional sanctions against Hamas and supporters
Ottawa has announced additional sanctions in connection with the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, targeting four men the government alleges supported the invasion by providing military training and resources.
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May 09, 2024
2 new appointments to Federal Court announced
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani announced the appointment of Michael Battista and Catharine Moore to the Federal Court of Appeal.
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May 09, 2024
IRCC’s inadequate online access for clients seeking immigration info ‘untenable’: federal watchdog
The years-long failure of the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to create a functional system to digitally communicate with would-be immigrants has pushed tens of thousands of IRCC clients (and their lawyers) to try to track the progress of their immigration applications via the access-to-information portals of the federal immigration department and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), says federal Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard, who called the status quo and resulting deluge of access to information requests “simply untenable.”
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May 07, 2024
Sweeping national security bill would boost state investigative powers; expand & create crimes, AMPs
The federal government has introduced a sweeping national security bill that would create a publicly accessible “foreign influence transparency” registry; expand the warrant, production and disclosure powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Agency (CSIS); affect criminal accused or judicial review applicants seeking access to relevant “information related to international relations, national defence or national security”; expand the current “sabotage” offence; and create new “foreign interference” offences, along with administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) of up to $5 million and five years in prison, including for knowingly obstructing the operations of the office of a proposed new “Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner.”
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May 07, 2024
Transmission of U.S. citizenship: Blessing or curse?
Children of U.S. citizens often can go their whole lives without knowing that they actually are — already — U.S. citizens themselves. To individuals in this situation, finding out you are already a U.S. citizen can be like winning the lottery or your worst nightmare. U.S. citizenship comes with certain rights and privileges but also with certain obligations. Those who want to divest themselves from these obligations can do so but may be frustrated with how lengthy the process of renouncing or relinquishing U.S. citizenship can be.
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May 06, 2024
Ottawa’s proposed $72M for immigration legal aid in 2024 helps but more funds needed, CBA says
Immigration lawyers say federal Budget 2024’s boost for immigration legal aid is very welcome, but higher funding is necessary if the burgeoning number of refugee claimants are to access justice in Canada. As unveiled on April 16, 2024, by Chrystia Freeland, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Budget 2024 proposes $72 million for immigration legal aid in 2024-25, up from $43.5 million per year in Budgets 2023 and 2022.