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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.