Senate Business - Page 30 of 31

Speech: Motion to Urge the Government to Call Upon the Government of Myanmar to End Violence and Gross Violations of Human Rights Against Rohingya Muslims

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada October 5, 2017 Bangladesh, Chamber Speeches, Myanmar, refugees, Rohingya, Salma Ataullahjan, United Nations

The conflict between Rohingya Muslims and the Rakhine Buddhists is incredibly intricate. Their history spans centuries, not decades or years. Within these intricacies, it is easy for disagreements to form as to where peace, stability, justice and coexistence may lie.

Senators’ Statements: Stephen Huddart

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada September 28, 2017 Social Finance, Statements, Stephen Huddart

I think we all agree and realize that the complexity of problems facing Canadians is only growing. We also know that it is impossible to meet all the needs of all Canadians through government grants and funds. Creating a new marketplace of social finance, where proven ideas meet money, seems to me to be a truly big idea and worthy of our attention.

Question: What is the Government’s Plan to Fill Vacancies on the Immigration and Refugee Board?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada September 19, 2017 immigration, Immigrations and Refugee Board, Question Period

I think you will agree with me that it is essential for us to retain public confidence in the governance systems that we have set up, and it is in all our interests to make decisions on claims in a way that is both fast and fair. But when I look at what’s happening at the IRB, an institution you know well, there are 34,000 cases already in the backlog. In addition, there are 40 vacancies in the Immigration Appeal Division and Refugee Appeal Division.

Speech: Bolstering our understanding of Canada’s charities and non-profits in the Senate

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 21, 2017 Chamber Speeches, charities, Senator Terry Mercer

"These topics are near and dear to me. As a new immigrant to Canada — and I possibly am not alone when I say this — this was the one sector that did not look at me in the face and say, "Where is your Canadian work experience?" I have a real fondness and empathy for the sector because on principle it is associated with looking at people other than what is on the paper before them."

Question: Bill C-6 – An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (Revocation of Citizenship)

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 20, 2017 Bill C-6, Citizenship, immigration, Question Period

"Law is one thing; implementation is another. I understand that the coming into force of the McCoy due process amendment will not take place until early 2018. In the meantime, can you guarantee that the government will not initiate any new revocation proceedings under the current, fundamentally flawed model?"

Senators’ Statements: World Refugee Day

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 20, 2017 refugees, Statements, World Refugee Day, WUSC

“Even as I grieve for the millions of displaced people in the world, I want to take a moment to share some optimism with you from the work of WUSC.”

Senators’ Statements: Michael Adams, C.M.

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 11, 2017 Michael Adams, Order of Canada, Statements

Michael is the founder of the Environics Group of research and communications consulting companies, and more recently he founded the Environics Institute, which is a not-for-profit institute that asks the tough questions that need to be asked and answered.

Question: Senate Amendment to Bill C-6 – An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 10, 2017 Bill C-6, Citizenship, immigration, Question Period

"Today the Federal Court decided a very important case that weighs in on our work. The case is Hassouna et al v. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. It challenged the government's citizen revocation process... Will the government respect the Senate’s amendment to restore due process in the revocation of citizenship?"

Senators’ Statements: Alan Broadbent, C.M

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 10, 2017 Alan Broadbent, charities, Statements

Alan is one of Canada's leading philanthropists. He is chair of the Maytree Foundation, and I had the honour of serving as its president for close to 15 years. I know intimately that his reach and influence in the world of philanthropy is enormous.

Senators’ Statements: Visible Minority Women

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 4, 2017 Diversity, Statements, women

As the divide between men and women exists, so does the divide between minority men and minority women. Minority women earn even less than minority men, so there is a double-barrelled glass ceiling: first your gender and then your race.