The Department of Immigration is conducting research on whether people fleeing the effects of climate change will attempt to enter Canada, as the law does not currently recognize “climate considerations” as grounds to claim refugee status.
“Canada is investing in projects that aim to strengthen data and evidence related to climate mobility in order to deepen our understanding of who is on the move and people’s considerations in deciding whether to move,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada wrote to the Senate National Finance Committee, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
“Thorough understanding of why people move can help inform policy making including the development of adequate local solutions.”
The Immigration Department noted that under the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, “refugees” are narrowly defined as people who “cannot return home due to a well-founded fear of prosecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or being part of a social group.”
Under the Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a refugee is defined as “a person who cannot return to their country as they may face danger of torture, risk to their life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.” The Immigration Department told senators that there are no provisions under current law that link environmental concerns to crossing international borders.
During questioning at an Oct. 31 hearing of the finance committee, Sen. Rosa Galvez asked Immigration Department managers for “any numbers in terms of how many people who are seeking asylum are coming because they are escaping drastic, penalizing environmental conditions in their countries.”
“The government is building a modern immigration system that will position Canada to compete on the global stage for the world’s best talent,” testified Nathalie Manseau, chief financial officer with the Immigration Department.
“But sometimes these people are farmers,” Sen. Galvez replied.
In 2016, the Privy Council think tank Policy Horizons Canada published a report claiming Canada would become a preferred destination for climate refugees.
“Canada has the opportunity to become a preferred destination for climate refugees as well as companies trying to reduce their supply chain exposure to the risks of climate change,” said the report titled Canada 2030: Scan Of Emerging Issues – Sustainability.
“Extreme drought, rising food insecurity and water scarcity in some regions of the world may have important impacts over the next 10 to 15 years including regional conflicts, spread of disease and viruses and rising commodity prices,” the report said. “Even companies are evaluating their exposure to the rise in extreme weather events.”
