Conservatives will increase the ratio of LGBT refugees that Canada welcomes

Michelle Rempel

MICHELLE Rempel, Conservative shadow minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on Wednesday announced that an Andrew Scheer government will increase the ratio of LGBT refugees that Canada welcomes and permanently establish the Rainbow Refugee Assistance program.

“Conservatives have a long history of supporting the world’s most vulnerable and the LGBT community is one of the most persecuted communities in the world. That is why an Andrew Scheer government will increase the ratio of LGBT refugees welcomed to Canada and make the Rainbow Refugee Assistance program a fully promoted, multi-year program that receives regular funding,” said Rempel.

She added: “Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with LGBT refugees in Uganda. These individuals highlighted the unfair difficulties they face on a daily basis. In particular, three gay individuals and one transwoman were forced to sleep outside the UNHCR office on the road because it was not safe for them elsewhere.

“These individuals face the threat of violence and persecution each and every day and are among the world’s most vulnerable individuals. Yet, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, we have seen the number of LGBT refugees who are being resettled in Canada diminish significantly. In fact, Iranian LGBT refugees have seen an 85% drop in resettlement to Canada.”

“It is illegal to be gay in over 70 countries in the world. LGBT people are incredibly vulnerable, and state sponsored homophobia and transphobia make seeking refuge dangerous,” said Yusuf Celik, Executive Director of Gay Muslims United.

“Under the Trudeau government, processing times for privately sponsored refugees are soaring, but LGBT people cannot afford to wait five to seven years when they are not even safe in UNHCR camps,” said Rempel.