Refugee Rights Day Recognized During Legislative Assembly
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Posted: Thursday 15th April 2010 13:56
Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, also the minister responsible for immigration, spoke of importance of offering safe new home to refugees here in PEI, and recognized the celebration of the Refugee Rights Day and the work of the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada. Here is his speach at the 3rd Session of the 63rd General Assembly:
This past Saturday, April 10th, I was both pleased and privileged to take part in the Refugee Rights Day celebration hosted by the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada. This event marked the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Singh decision which recognized that refugees are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In 2009, Prince Edward Island offered safe haven to 80 refugees from 10 different countries including Bhutan, Somalia, Burundi and Myanmar. Recently, Ottawa approved 500 new refugees to settle in Canada through the Government-Assisted Refugees Program, and we hope that some of these newcomers will make the Island their home over the next year.
By welcoming refugees to our country we recognize the universal right to life, liberty and security. At the same time as these new Islanders benefit from the advantages that life in Canada has to offer, our Island community is enriched by their presence. Through cultural diversity, Islanders gain respect for the beliefs and values of others. Government is working to create a sense of community among people of all cultures living in the province.
In our increasingly global society it is essential that we work together to bring about understanding and tolerance of cultural differences. On April 10th, the stories that refugees shared through short stories, poems, music and dance displayed the rich cultural traditions they bring to the Island. There are many opportunities available to newcomers on the Island and we look forward to the contributions they will make to our community.
In closing, I would like to recognize the great work of the Association for Newcomers for their efforts to make Prince Edward Island a comfortable and welcoming place for [new] Islanders to settle. I believe the Executive Director of the Association for Newcomers, Mr. Craig Mackie, is [...] here. I want to welcome him. I believe he’s got some staff here with him today. I want to thank Craig, all the staff and the Board of Directors of the Association for Newcomers for all of the great and hard work they do in helping our new Islanders both settle and assimilate in society here in Prince Edward Island.
