Canada’s asylum seekers are ready and willing to contribute—but current federal policies are actively holding them back. This campaign calls attention to the exclusionary rules that reserve funding and resettlement services only for accepted refugees, leaving thousands in limbo without access to affordable education, timely work permits, or social services. Despite these immense barriers, data from 2011 to 2021 show that after the first two years in Canada, refugee claimants made economic contributions nearly equal to those of Canadian-born citizens, proving their potential when given the chance. 

We’re calling on Minister Marc Miller and the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to take urgent action: expand federal funding eligibility to include asylum seekers and introduce policies that support—not restrict—their integration. Canada’s future is enriched by those seeking safety and opportunity here. Let’s build a system that reflects that reality.

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