Canada: Long a Refugee Haven – a Model for Other Countries? (Part 1)

Canada has a long and sometimes forgotten history of accepting refugees dating back to its founding. This history connects with present-day refugee approaches and challenges that are in contrast with the emerging policies and attitudes south of our border and in many other countries. It is not only Canada’s reliance on a provision in the 1976 Immigration Act that allows for groups of individuals to privately sponsor refugees that makes Canada a possible model for other countries, but our distinction as an accepting and supportive home for refugees. Refugees to Canada indeed come from war-torn, discriminatory and poor countries throughout the world. Canada resettled 60,000 refugees from places like Vietnam and Cambodia between 1979 and 1980, for example, including about 34,000 who were privately sponsored. Nearly 300,000 refugees have resettled in Canada since the late 1970s.That extraordinary effort helped Canada win the 1986 UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award in recognition of the collective work of the government and residents. But, refugees from other places have also enriched Canada for a very long time. It is those streams that will be discussed here as forming a fundamental part of our country and communities. Speaker: Dr. Susan McDaniel Dr. Susan McDaniel is Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Global Population and Life Course, Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. McDaniel relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where for two years she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. She had previously taught at the Universities of Alberta and Waterloo. An internationally known sociologist/social demographer, Dr. McDaniel is the author of many books and research articles. She has been the recipient of many awards and honours: She has long been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and last year was awarded the Ingrid Speaker Medal by the U of L for Outstanding Research. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and around the World. Dr. McDaniel serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Canadian Council of Academies (CCA). Recently, the CCA has been asked by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to do assessments related to Medical Assistance in Dying. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary