Fight Cuts to Refugee Healthcare!
Donation protected
Canada has always been a refuge for those fleeing persecution and war. But in April 2012, that started to change . That's when the Federal Government announced devastating cuts to healthcare for refugees in Canada. Since that time, tens of thousands of vulnerable refugees in our country - including infants and children - have lost healthcare coverage or been denied coverage all together. The results have been disastrous. Diabetic refugees have gone without insulin. Pregnant refugees have gone without pre-natal care. And refugees with cancer have been told they will no longer receive treatment.
In February 2013, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) - along with Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care - could not sit idle any longer. We launched a law suit arguing that the Government's healthcare cuts were illegal. After a year and a half of litigation, the Federal Court agreed. In July 2014, the Court declared that the healthcare cuts violated the Canada's constitution and were a form of "cruel and unusual" treatment.
But the Federal Government has not given up. In October 2014, they appealed the judgment to the Federal Court of Appeal. And the case may eventually end up in the Supreme Court of Canada. The Canadian Medical Association and 11 other national medical organizations have publicly asked Ottawa to drop the appeal. But the Federal Government has refused. They have the resources - taxpayers' resources - to fund this type of lengthy litigation. CARL does not. Our lawyers have worked hundreds of free hours on this case. And they have promised to continue to do so. But costs associated with this legal battle are steadily mounting - especially for an all-volunteer organization like CARL.
So we are calling on Canadians who support refugees to help us out with whatever support you can. Even $5 or $10 can make a real difference when we all come together. We are setting a goal of $12,000 because we think this is close to what we will need to fight this case inside and outside of the courts. None of this money will go to pay our lawyers; all of it will be used to advocate on behalf of refugees who need support and protection. If there is any left over money, it will be used for CARL's future refugee justice work
We need you to be part of this amazing effort to restore healthcare to refugees in Canada. On behalf of refugees across the country, thank you for your support!
More resources:
CARL's website: [http://www.carl-acaadr.ca/]
Federal Court judgment: [http://goo.gl/Z9AX3M]
Globe and Mail editorial: "Cruel to take health care away from refugee claimants"
[http://goo.gl/3L9dIh]
Toronto Star editorial: "Ottawa should reverse cuts to refugee health care"
[http://goo.gl/jcBxSu]
Ottawa Citizen editorial: "Refugee rules are bad policy, legal or not"
[http://goo.gl/yqQ9xs]
Canadian Medical Association: "CMA urges feds to reconsider appeal against reinstating refugee benefits"
[http://goo.gl/tx1BMo]
"Twelve national medical associations join call for Conservative government to drop reckless appeal of refugee health ruling" [http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/]
Full press coverage: [http://goo.gl/wnXdfW]
In February 2013, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) - along with Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care - could not sit idle any longer. We launched a law suit arguing that the Government's healthcare cuts were illegal. After a year and a half of litigation, the Federal Court agreed. In July 2014, the Court declared that the healthcare cuts violated the Canada's constitution and were a form of "cruel and unusual" treatment.
But the Federal Government has not given up. In October 2014, they appealed the judgment to the Federal Court of Appeal. And the case may eventually end up in the Supreme Court of Canada. The Canadian Medical Association and 11 other national medical organizations have publicly asked Ottawa to drop the appeal. But the Federal Government has refused. They have the resources - taxpayers' resources - to fund this type of lengthy litigation. CARL does not. Our lawyers have worked hundreds of free hours on this case. And they have promised to continue to do so. But costs associated with this legal battle are steadily mounting - especially for an all-volunteer organization like CARL.
So we are calling on Canadians who support refugees to help us out with whatever support you can. Even $5 or $10 can make a real difference when we all come together. We are setting a goal of $12,000 because we think this is close to what we will need to fight this case inside and outside of the courts. None of this money will go to pay our lawyers; all of it will be used to advocate on behalf of refugees who need support and protection. If there is any left over money, it will be used for CARL's future refugee justice work
We need you to be part of this amazing effort to restore healthcare to refugees in Canada. On behalf of refugees across the country, thank you for your support!
More resources:
CARL's website: [http://www.carl-acaadr.ca/]
Federal Court judgment: [http://goo.gl/Z9AX3M]
Globe and Mail editorial: "Cruel to take health care away from refugee claimants"
[http://goo.gl/3L9dIh]
Toronto Star editorial: "Ottawa should reverse cuts to refugee health care"
[http://goo.gl/jcBxSu]
Ottawa Citizen editorial: "Refugee rules are bad policy, legal or not"
[http://goo.gl/yqQ9xs]
Canadian Medical Association: "CMA urges feds to reconsider appeal against reinstating refugee benefits"
[http://goo.gl/tx1BMo]
"Twelve national medical associations join call for Conservative government to drop reckless appeal of refugee health ruling" [http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/]
Full press coverage: [http://goo.gl/wnXdfW]
Organizer
Carl AC
Organizer
Toronto, ON
