CAMPAIGN 31 WEEK 7

A Tale of Protection: Yannick

A man trapped by Bill C-31

n 1997, the war in the Congo tore Yannicks family apart. As his father was the king of the territory, his family was specifically marked for death by the opposition. His mother had no choice but to flee to Europe, leaving Yannick (who was only 7 at the time) to live with his grandfather and his younger brothers. Nine years later, Yannicks mother was finally able to bring him and his brothers to a country that she hoped would provide a better future for them... but what about safety? I didnt choose the country we moved to, Yannick explains, I was 16 at the time, and all I wanted to do was leave Congo. We were so poor, and I was scared for my life. I hadnt seen my mother for so many years; I would have gone wherever she asked me to. Yannicks move to Europe took him out of the frying pan into the fire. Although he no longer faced the threat of war, he experienced constant discrimination because of his race. European countries have well-documented, long histories of racial discrimination, sometimes leading to violence and death. Although human rights groups and government organizations are making every effort to combat racism, there still exists invisible persecution. This discrimination, combined with the economic crisis in Europe, labelled Yannick as another innocent victim. ... another number waiting to be deleted from the system. A couple years after coming to Europe, my mother lost her job. My brothers and I were forced to drop out of school because we couldnt buy books, or food for the table. Yannick faced layers of difficulty in realizing his independence since he saw that living as a black man in that country closed many doors for him. He was only able to find sporadic, part-time work so, after living in shelters, and surviving on the street, Yannick took the advice of a friend and moved to Canada. When I arrived in Toronto, I immediately felt the difference. People here were so much warmer than in Europe. I came here penniless, but was offered a place to stay, and a warm meal. I knew right away that I would build a life for myself in Canada, that I could find happiness. The impending Bill C-31 is unravelling this vision of Canada. Arriving from what the Minister of

Citizenship and Immigration will most likely deem a designated country of origin, will compound barriers for people in situations similar to Yannick. Despite facing real persecution based on his race (one of the criteria in the 1951 Geneva Convention), Yannick can expect to be treated as a bogus claim. As a result, he will be removed from Canada very quickly without any options to appeal or to pursue other means to remain here legally. Due to the extreme difficulties he faced in Europe, and fearing for his well-being if forced to return, Yannick has decided that he would go underground. The racism I experienced in [that country in Europe] was real. I couldnt work. I couldnt eat. I was always being threatened. No one should have to live like that... but the government says that people in my situation are bogus... were not real refugees... Bill C-31 and the governments agenda are perpetuating the myth that refugees are coming to Canada to abuse our generosity. Yannick shows that this is simply not true: Here in Canada, all I want to do is work and go to school. I have opportunities here. I dont want welfare. I want to be part of Canada... Why does the Canadian government not want to do the same? Why are we not giving people the benefit of the doubt, and treating people with dignity? Yannick, like countless others, is condemned to become non-status as the government closes many doors for people fleeing persecution, trauma and poverty. Currently, Yannick is living at a shelter, unable to apply for a work permit or go to school. He will be forced to live underground, on the periphery of a dignified, protected life. Non-status people face exploitation and abuse, and are cut off from becoming active in Canadian society. But for many of them, this pain pales in comparison to what they can expect if deported. Where I lived in Europe, the government was open to accept refugees, but the people were so racist. Here is the opposite people are so friendly and welcoming, but the government doesnt want us. Before I came here, people always told me how wonderful Canada is. I can see that beauty in the people that have been helping me. I hope the government and their new laws dont take this away from the people of Canada.