News Releases

Resettlement of Afghans in Canada: Senators Urge Action

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 2, 2022 AfghanRefugees, immigration, refugees

Senators Omidvar, Ataullahjan, Jaffer, Deacon and McPhedran held a press conference with former Afghan MP Naheed Farid to draw attention to problems with the processing of applications from Afghans seeking to resettle in Canada.

Press Release: Senator Ratna Omidvar Welcomes the Inclusion of Seizing and Repurposing Frozen Assets of Corrupt Officials in the Budget Implementation Act

Senator Ratna Omidvar April 27, 2022 corruption, frozen assets, frozen assets bill, human rights, refugees, Ukraine

Senator Omidvar is pleased to see that the government has included the essence of her Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act, in the Budget Implementation Act.

Press Release: Senator Omidvar welcomes the Government of Canada’s Pledge to Change “Direction and Control” Requirements for Canadian Charities in the 2022 Federal Budget

Senator Ratna Omidvar April 8, 2022 charities, Direction and Control, Effective Accountable Charities Act News, racism, systemic discrimination

Senator Omidvar is pleased to see that the government has pledged to change “direction and control” requirements, but more detail is needed to determine what changes will be made.

Canadian Response Needed to the Rapidly Developing Refugee Crisis in Ukraine

World Refugee and Migration Council February 27, 2022 immigration, private sponsorship, refugees, Ukraine

The World Refugee and Migration Council has released a statement calling on the government to lead international efforts toward ensuring responsibility sharing for Ukrainian refugees.

Press Release: The Effective and Accountable Charities Act Would Empower the Charitable Sector and Weed out Systemic Racism

Senator Ratna Omidvar December 1, 2021 charities, Effective Accountable Charities Act News, racism, systemic discrimination

Bill S-216 will amend the Income Tax Act to enable charities to establish equal partnerships with non-charities

Lifeline Afghanistan Launched to Support Canada’s Goal to Resettle 20,000 Afghan Refugees

Lifeline Afghanistan September 2, 2021 AfghanRefugees, immigration, private sponsorship, refugees

Senator Omidvar is one of the co-founders of Lifeline Afghanistan, which will engage Canadians in supporting Afghan refugees.

Press Release: Senator Ratna Omidvar calls on the Federal Government to match Canadians’ donations to India battling COVID-19

Senator Ratna Omidvar May 5, 2021 Canada-India relations, covid19migration, India

Senator Omidvar tabled a motion in the Senate asking the Government of Canada to match the generous donations made by Canadians to India for Covid-19 related relief.

Press Release: The Effective and Accountable Charities Act Would Empower the Charitable Sector and Weed out Systemic Racism

Senator Ratna Omidvar March 17, 2021 charities, Effective Accountable Charities Act News, racism, systemic discrimination

Bill will amend the Income Tax Act to enable charities to establish equal partnerships with non-charities

Press Release: Statistics Canada Survey Shows Charitable and Nonprofit Boards Need to Improve their Diversity

Senator Ratna Omidvar February 11, 2021 board diversity, charities, Diversity, DiversityInLeadership, immigrants, NonProfits

Survey finds that immigrants and racialized people are underrepresented on the governing boards of charities and nonprofits.

Press Release: Poll Suggests Canadians Support Pathway to Permanency for Temporary Migrant Workers

Senator Ratna Omidvar and Senator Rob Black Senate of Canada December 10, 2020 immigration, temporary foreign workers

A Nanos Research poll found that more than eight in ten Canadians would support or somewhat support providing a way for temporary migrant workers to remain in Canada.