Ashlynn Chand

Immigration lawyers are disappointed with the federal government’s slow response in providing aid and creating programs for Turkish and Syrian refugees who are fleeing the devastating effects of two earthquakes that struck earlier this year, and say the disasters highlight a need to better prepare for the impacts of future crises. On February 6, the first catastrophic earthquake hit southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. The second earthquake hit the same area two weeks later.

By Ashlynn Chand It has been 20 years since the Immigration and Refugee and Protection Act (IRPA) was put into effect. As we head into the new year, sex worker advocates are calling for it to be repealed, arguing it has led to migrant sex workers being unfairly targeted. IRPA criminalizes human trafficking, making it an offence for third parties to arrange for the illegal entrance of migrant sex workers into Canada by means of abduction, fraud, deception, force or coercion.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Jason Kenney have reached an agreement to support $10‑a‑day child-care spaces for children under six years old, but community members are uncertain about its implementation.