Refugee Rights Day
Each year on April 4, Canada observes Refugee Rights Day to mark the anniversary of the 1985 Singh decision by the Supreme Court of Canada. In this landmark case, the Court ruled that refugee claimants are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Specifically, the Court said the phrase, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of the person..." includes people seeking refuge in Canada. This means refugee claimants are entitled to a fair hearing, in line with both Canadian and international law.
Refugee Rights Day is a reminder of Canada's commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of people fleeing violence, persecution, and human rights abuses. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges refugees face, and to celebrate their resilience and contributions to Canadian society. The day honours the legal milestones that shape how Canada welcomes those seeking safety and reaffirms our national values of compassion and support.
It’s important for Canadians to educate themselves about refugees to help break down the harmful myths and stereotypes often associated with refugees. First, knowing the legal process for seeking asylum in Canada is important. It requires individuals to prove they are fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a specific group, or political beliefs. Second, refugees are not all the same—they bring a plethora of skills, knowledge, experiences, talents, and stories that enrich and strengthen Canadian society. Refugees contribute greatly to our aging labour force, our population growth since Canada's birth rate is at an all-time low, and the beautiful diversity that is our nation's fabric.
Canadians can make a difference by staying informed and advocating for fair and transparent government policies to protect refugees' legal and human rights. This includes reducing long wait times for asylum claims and creating more pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.
Everyone has a role in helping refugees settle into their new country by offering a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment—from volunteering with refugee organizations to supporting their educational needs to simply being empathetic to their struggles. While Canada has set aside April 4 as a day to recognize refugee rights, every day is an opportunity to support, advocate for, and celebrate the rights and contributions of refugees.
Let’s continue to push for policies that uphold the dignity and rights of people seeking refuge—because if the roles were reversed, we would hope for the same compassion in return.