The Canadian Council for Refugees is fundamentally opposed to the proposed Canada-US agreement for cooperation in examination of refugee status claims from nationals of third countries and calls on the Canadian government to abandon negotiation of the agreement. Non-governmental organizations and others concerned for the rights of refugees in both Canada and the US object to the agreement on moral, political and legal grounds.
Refugees have a right to decide where to seek asylum.
Regard should be had to the concept that asylum should not be refused solely on the ground that it could be sought from another State. Refugees legitimately try to seek asylum in the country in which they have the best prospects of receiving protection. In addition many refugees choose a country because of family, friends, past association or language. While providing limited recognition to the importance of family reunification, the agreement fails to address the multiplicity of factors affecting the choices refugees make. Since these factors influence refugees' settlement, it is in the interest not only of the refugees but also of the receiving countries to respect these motivations.