Montreal City Mission

Montreal City Mission receives

Citizenship award from Quebec

Paula Kline, Yolande James & Sylvain Thibault

The Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Yolande James, awarded the ‘Jacques Couture Citizenship Prize 2010 for the Promotion of Intercultural Rapprochement’ to Montreal City Mission. At an awards ceremony on May 31st, Ms. James praised the exceptional contribution made by MCM to the development of Quebec.

 The official photo 

A well-deserved honour!

EKC - BAKING UP A STORM !!!

Three young members of EKC

After a stunning performance with the St. James choir, the EKC raised $600 through a bake sale at St. James United Church.  Many thanks to the congregation members, Sunday School teachers, parents and EKC staff who donated the baked goods.

EKC at St James United Church

Later on in the month of May the EKC went on a visit to Cedar Park United to perform during their Pentecost service and to provide a music workshop to the children involved with the Kid Zone program.  They raised another $180 to contribute towards the overall cost of the EKC program. Merci!     

 EKC at Cedar Park United Church

FOCUS ON HAITI

Guest Mitchell Daudier (right) with her son & St James UC member Kofo Dedeke

Mitchell Daudier, Percy Jackson, a member of St James, & artist Rousseau Denis

This year, Black History month came on the heels of the earthquake in Haiti.  As such, it provided an opportune space to gather, remember past struggles and to celebrate life. Former MCM staffer and prominent Haitian businesswoman Mitchell Daudier gave a rousing and moving address from the pulpit of St. James on Black History Sunday.

Paula with Mitchell & her son

MCM Refugee coordinator Sylvain Thibault organized an art exhibit by Project Refuge residents: Les Perles d’Haiti s’exposent. Some 400 visitors took in the show.  Solidarity continues on the Montreal Presbytery Haiti committee under the guidance of chair Cindy Casey, as well as with our community of residents. Haiti Pap Peri!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU... MONTREAL 

What better way to become acquainted with our fair city than an introduction to its history.  With this in mind our partner Centre justice & foi  took a group of Project Refuge residents on an unusual bus tour of l’Autre Montréal. The residents were fascinated by the social struggles and important landmarks that have forged Montreal over the centuries. They also came away feeling a closer connection to what they hope will be their new home. 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

MCM exhibit - Under the Blue Sky, Between Exile and Asylum -  was recently presented at UQAM ( March 29 – April 4th) to underscore Refugee Rights Day in Canada, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Singh Decision*.  Once again, the numerous visitors appreciated the opportunity to become more familiar with the right to asylum in Canada. A heart felt thanks to our partner UQAM Rights and Democracy committee for making this possible.

* One of the first Charter cases to be decided by the Supreme Court, the Singh decision applied section 7 of the Charter, which declares: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person …...”  The Court found that “everyone” includes refugees, and recognized that the refugee determination system must obey the principles of fundamental justice, since refugee claimants’ security of the person might be threatened if deported. 

TAKING THE ISSUE TO THE PUBLIC

MCM Governing Body member, Claudette Cardinal (left),

& Rick Goldman, MCM supervising lawyer (right)

 On May 18th, the general public was invited to a “Public consultation” on the proposed bill to reform the Canadian refugee determination system.  The many alarming aspects of the proposed legislation were explained by a panel of Montreal refugee advocates and by refugees themselves. 

Sylvie Laurion, Kemeko, Rosemary Thomas & Sylvain Thibault

If passed, this bill will have a definite negative impact on people’s lives. Canada’s international obligation to protect and uphold the right to asylum will also be diminished. The consultation panel presented a different and more humane option for protecting, welcoming and integrating refugees in our midst.  Kudos to MCM staffer Sylvain Thibault, one of the main organizers of this important event! And many thanks to Union United for graciously hosting this event and providing technical support.

MCM ON PARLIAMENT HILL

MCM reps Sylvain and Kemeko at the Standing Committee in Ottawa

On May 27th, MCM refugee coordinator Sylvain Thibault and resident Kemeko spoke before the standing committee on Bill C-11.  Our two advocates informed the parliamentarians how the proposed bill would dramatically alter the refugee determination process.  We can only hope their words were heard and their request for changes heeded.