Citizenship and Immigration committee  Obviously, for many of these women, even though they have an internalized belief of oppression and abuse, once they are here they know something else is being offered here. They know Canada as a women's-rights country. They know that, and they are willing to learn. However, they

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would suggest—and it's in my brief as well—the mandatory.... Prior to coming to Canada if the embassies could provide that in their original country, some information sessions for the women to know what is going on, what is being offered....

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Exactly.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It's not only about the credentials. It's about their values, what they are coming here for, and how they are able to integrate, and understanding the values here, and appreciating that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Definitely, that's a great idea, and mentorship programs to be part of the settlement program as well. I would ask for your attention to the briefing report that I have submitted to the committee, and its suggestions. One of the suggestions is considering giving immigration to yo

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The settlement program should look beyond offering people just information. Information itself as a pamphlet, or whatever it is, doesn't work. Many women have told me that once they arrived at the airport, they heard the officer saying, “Welcome to Canada”, and that was it. They

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would say that domestic violence and abuse happens in all forms of marriages and partner relationships. It's beyond the formality of marriage, and it's beyond age, sex, ethnicity, and everything else. It happens everywhere, every time, all of the time.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  As much as—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Definitely.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Of course. It's important to understand that the fear of CIC is because of deportation. This is something that the men are already using from day one. It is very important to realize that there is a power imbalance. Once the woman has said yes to a marriage, they don't actual

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It definitely endangers them. Also, it's important to understand that many women who do not fear CIC would stay because of the feelings of shame and guilt their families are imposing on them.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Definitely, I agree. I suggest that before they come here, that they not only understand their rights and responsibilities in Canada, but also understand the Canadian values, what those values are about, and asking them “do you agree?” Instead of having a point system for educati

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I just want to make sure I talk about the survey we have done ourselves. On the 500 or 600 surveys that we asked people to fill in, 67 written surveys came back, without names, of course. Everyone is saying, “Yes, there is abuse going on. There is violence going on in our communi

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for inviting me here. It's a pleasure to be here. I am a therapist with a background in social work. Since 1994 I have been working as a social worker, a rehabilitation worker, and a victim support worker, and now since 2