Family of asylum-seekers claims discrimination as they fight to stay in Canada
A family who fled Egypt over fears of persecution for the father’s political activism is fighting for the right to remain in Canada.
A member of the Freedom and Justice Party during the Arab Spring in 2011, Attia Elserafy said he feared for his safety after a military coup deposed President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
The family of seven went to Turkey before Elserafy, his wife and three of their children came to Canada, where they made refugee claims.
Two adult sons remain in Turkey.
Elserafy says the refugee application process has stalled because a report from an officer with Canada Border Services Agency pointed out links between the Freedom and Justice Party and Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.
Neither group appears on Canada’s list of terrorist entities.
Speaking through a translator, Elserafy accused the Vancouver-based CBSA officer of discrimination and Islamophobia.
“It is one officer, along with his group, that is targeting us, along with a few other families,” he said.
The CBSA says privacy reasons prevent it from discussing specific cases, but stressed there are multiple officials at many levels involved in decisions regarding admissibility.
It adds asylum-seekers unhappy with a decision can seek leave to appeal to the Federal Court of Canada.
"Allegations of improper behaviour by CBSA employees are taken very seriously,” the CBSA said in a statement. “When we receive a complaint, the CBSA reviews all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and, if warranted, will take the necessary actions called for.”
The Canadian Council for Refugees takes issue with that position, saying that, as a law enforcement agency, the CBSA should not be allowed to investigate itself.
"There is no independent complaint mechanism over the Canada Border Services Agency. This is a longstanding concern that has been raised by our organization and many others,” said executive director Janet Dench.
According to Dench, the federal Liberals twice tried to pass legislation in recent years to establish independent oversight for the CBSA, but the bills died in the House of Commons both times.
In the meantime, Elserafy and his family continue their fight to stay in Canada and avoid an uncertain fate back in Egypt.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.