Evidence of meeting #17 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 41st Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was services.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
One would think the first step when somebody is being abused is to call the police. The first thing that would come to mind is not to call CIC's 1-800 number when they're abused. But I understand what you're saying. I don't want to take away from what you're saying.
Have you come across examples where specific evidence they presented was rejected?
Executive Director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
No, we haven't had any specific examples where the evidence has been rejected. But there also isn't any intentional collection of what's happening since October 2012 with the implementation of this new regulation. I know that in Ontario, as a council, we haven't started collecting that kind of information, and I don't believe my counterparts across the country, whether it's AMSSA or La Table in Quebec, have started collecting that information either.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
Let me ask a question of you, Ms. Belhassen.
Are women generally afraid to present their evidence in cases where they've been abused, do you think? They're very vulnerable. They're here. They don't know what perhaps a mainstream Canadian would know. In your opinion, do you think there's a tendency for them to be afraid to present their evidence when they are being abused?
representative, Women's file, Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
Yes, absolutely. From our experience and our many meetings with women who have sought our help, we have learned that they are afraid to report their spouse or husband. They are afraid not just of their spouse, but also of their community, because of how it is viewed.
What's more, some women with bruises did not want to report the abuse. Others still don't understand that abuse is more than just physical, that it can be psychological as well. When they describe what is happening to them and professionals tell them they are experiencing psychological violence or abuse, they ask what that means.
During my presentation, I said it was important to keep these situations from happening, and not to wait until it's too late. These women should be advised of the rights they have here, in Canada, our values and the fact that men and women are equal here. They should be informed of all that even before they get to Canada.
Basically, as I was saying earlier, information sessions should be available to these women to explain what sponsorship is, how it works and what it requires of them and their husbands. Keep in mind that many husbands and spouses take advantage of the sponsorship dynamic.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
Thank you, witnesses, for being here.
First of all, I want to talk about S.U.C.C.E.S.S and the work you do in our communities. I know you're from Vancouver and you provide a wonderful service to the people in the Lower Mainland. I know a number of organizations that you work with and individuals in my constituency, so thank you very much for being here and for serving our community.
You provide interpreters. You will not only help people in our official languages, English and French, but other languages as well. You have volunteers for that. How many languages do you think you provide your services in?
Chief Executive Officer, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
We provide about 20-plus languages. We also work with the language bank to offer their services depending on the person, where they come from and the language they speak, in an attempt to make sure they understand the intent and the message and the rights and responsibilities.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
You're telling me language is not an issue to provide information to people or to interact with your clients in the Lower Mainland.
Chief Executive Officer, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
That's provided they know how to access the service and what services are available for them.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
Once they do come to S.U.C.C.E.S.S., are they able to interact in the language of their choosing?
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
I'm a little confused. Somebody coming from another country would not necessarily know our laws and our regulations.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
That would be regardless of their language, their ability to speak English or French.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
You're saying that language doesn't play a role in understanding our laws and all our regulations. We talked about providing more education, more resources for women who are subject to violence. Once they reach here, are we able to provide them with the information and help that's needed in their native language?
Chief Executive Officer, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Let me put it this way. It's hard for a layman to interpret law. I want to share with you some examples. I didn't have time for the second example. Even the person who knows the language does not necessarily understand the legislation and the implication of the laws. I think it's important that as a government, as a service providing agency, we have the responsibility and obligation to help those vulnerable people not only to understand the language but also understand the implication, the responsibility, and their rights.
NDP
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
Is language not the primary reason they don't know the laws and what rights they have in this country?
Chief Executive Officer, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Yes, I think we are splitting hairs. If they don't have basic language skills, they would not be able to understand even day-to-day talk. Some of them come with minimal literacy or are even at the preliteracy stage in their country of origin. That means they are illiterate in the country of origin, let alone in the English language. Even though we talk to them in their native language, we have to make sure we speak at the level they can understand, let alone the laws and the regulations in Canada.
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
Ms. Belhassen, you talked about arranged marriages. I think you may be confusing arranged marriages and forced marriages. You talked about violence committed against people who are in arranged marriages. Did you mean forced marriages, maybe? Can you clarify your understanding of arranged marriages and forced marriages?
representative, Women's file, Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
Normally, an arranged marriage is decided by the two members of the couple. Sometimes families also intervene in arranging the marriage. In the case of forced marriage, I believe the spouse, the woman, is forced into that type of marriage. She doesn't choose it, but is forced into accepting it.
That said, we have seen situations where abuse is present in both types of marriages. As I said, it is important to prevent any situation that leads to abuse or makes it worse.
NDP
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
I will use the rest of my colleague's time.
I'd like to pick up on something Ms. Belhassen said and ask each of you to comment briefly on it.
You mentioned the importance of taking action before sponsored individuals arrive in Canada and ensuring they are provided with the information they need. You aren't the first witness to tell us that. We have previously discussed the matter of advising them of their rights and providing helpful resources should they need them or even helping them to sign their own sponsorship documents themselves in their native language.
Ms. Douglas and Ms. Choo, do you support a similar proposal to prevent abuse?
Executive Director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
Absolutely, the sector across the country has identified the need. We do have some services paid for through Citizenship and Immigration Canada, pre-arrival services. We think that having a discussion or having modules that include violence against women, that include information on conditional sponsorship and exemptions, that include discussions on Canadian law, especially as it has to do with gender equality and other issues of concern to women in particular, is critically important.
We have the mechanism to do it. As a sector, including Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we are looking at expanding pre-arrival services. The research is bearing out that folks who are well informed before they come here have an easier time in terms of the settlement process. Violence against women issues, as well as other issues that have to do with women's rights and responsibilities are critical in terms of being included in any pre-arrival services that we are providing.
