Migration and Security: September 11 and Implications for Canada's Policies

Abstract On March 15, 2002, the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development, in partnership with the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, held a roundtable meeting in Toronto to assess the implications for Canada's policies concerning migration resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11. The purpose of this event was to draw on the knowledge and insight of participants from a wide range of civil society sectors to inform policy development. Discussants proposed a coherent framework for Canada's migration policy that emphasizes the safety and well-being of migrants. Policy advice generated from this roundtable concerns Canada's overall approach to migration policy; Canada's immigration and refugee system; and continental and international implications for Canada's policies. Resume Le 15 mars 2002 s'est tenu a Toronto une table ronde organisee conjointement par le Centre canadien pour le deloppement de la politique etrangere (CCDPE), et le Centre for Refugee Studies de l'universite York daps le but d'evaluer les implications des politiques canadiennes en matiere d'immigration apres les attentats terroristes du 11 septembre. Le but de la reunion etalt de puiser daps le reservoir de connaissance et de discernement des participants provenant d'horizons tres divers de la society civile afin de guider le deloppement des politiques. Les panelistes ont propose une structure coherente pour la politique du Canada en matiere de migration qui met l'emphase sur la securite et le bien-etre des migrants. Les recommandationspolitiques issues de cette table ronde out trait a l'approche d'ensemble du Canada en matiere de politique sur lam igration, le systeme canadien relatif a l'immigration et aux refugies, et les implications continentales et internationales des politiques du Canada. Introduction Links between migration and security issues have acquired renewed relevance in the post-September 11 context. Recognizing this, the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development, in partnership with the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, organized this meeting to explore the policy implications of migration and security in light of September 11. Participation consisted of individuals from academia, the NGO/IGO community, and government. The event was one of a series of roundtables supported by the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development in response to September 11. This report outlines discussions on key issue areas as well as the domestic and international policy implications. (It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of all roundtable participants.) Roundtable participants proposed a coherent approach to post-September 11 migration policy, emphasizing the safety and well-being of migrants. The policy advice generated from this event was the result of a consensus at the roundtable on the changing nature of the concept of security in the post-Cold War context; evolving trends in Canadian migration policy; and new challenges for migration policy in light of September 11. Context: Global Migration Trends Given the rapid population growth in developing countries, for some, the pressure to migrate will become stronger. As well, political instability, environmental factors, and ethno-religious conflict are further reasons behind an upsurge in global migration. It was agreed that people leave their countries of origin because of disparities in human security. Global migration is sure to continue, regardless of any change at the policy level. The difference now compared to earlier periods of history is that migration primarily involves people of lesser economic means. The challenge of the twenty-first century will be to reconsider traditionally held notions of citizenship. As well, the concerns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have acquired renewed significance. Theoretical Basis: The Changing Nature of Security Discourse Participants noted that conventionally, security was seen as the protection of states from military threats to their sovereignty. …