40th Anniversary Logo1_No Bkgd

Letters & Submissions

Bill C-49 punishes victims of smuggling

In October 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to our local MPs to express concern about a new bill that would crack down on people smuggling by increasing detention of refugee claimants arriving by boat.
Read

Employment Equity

In August, 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote a letter to Prime Minister Harper expressing dismay at the public reasons given for announcing a review of federal employment equity legislation, which suggested that employment equity was excluding qualified applicants from jobs in the federal public service based on grounds of race or ethnicity. We urged the government to take a leadership role in promoting employment equity as a way to address past and present inequities, increasing access to employment by qualified applicants from historically marginalized groups.
Read

Bill 210

In May 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, commenting on proposed amendments to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre expressed concern that refugee protection would be weakened by the proposed timelines, safe country list, and provisions related to humanitarian and compassionate applications.
Read

Refugee Reform

In May 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, commenting on proposed amendments to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre expressed concern that refugee protection would be weakened by the proposed timelines, safe country list, and provisions related to humanitarian and compassionate applications
Read

Migrant workers exploited

In November 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, expressing concerns about the growing exploitation of migrant workers, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report. The Centre urged the Minister to open new channels to permanent status that are equitably accessible by all migrant workers, and to remove eligibility restrictions on federally funded settlement services.
Read

Refugees need protection

In July 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, expressing deep concern about recent policy changes that restrict access to the refugee determination system. The New Life Centre urges the Minister to ensure that the Immigration and Refugee Board has the necessary resources and support to accurately and efficiently identify and grant protection to refugees.
Read

Anti-Poverty Strategy for Ontario

In November 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister Deb Matthews, urging the provincial government to fulfill its election promise to release a poverty reduction strategy by the end of the year. The economic downturn threatens to undermine the already fragile economic status of newcomers in Ontario.
Read

Newcomers struggle to find fair and meaningful employment

In October 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre released a participatory research report outlining employment barriers faced by newcomers to Canada. The report urged the government to address the non-recognition of international credentials and experience, and to ensure full enforcement of labour rights for all workers.
Read

Refugee determination system undermines newcomer mental health

In June 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre submitted to the UNHCR a research paper outlining the negative mental health impacts of long delays in refugee determination and family reunification. At the New Life Centre, an innovative community mental health project utilizes the skills of internationally trained psychologists to provide emotional support to vulnerable newcomers.
Read

New legislation threatens access to permanent status

In April 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre presented a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, expressing concerns about proposed changes to immigration legislation that would give wide discretionary powers to the Immigration Minister.
Read

Protection for humanitarian workers

In March 2008, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to the Minister of Public Safety calling for legislative changes to prevent prosecution of humanitarian workers under charges of people smuggling. In 2007, the government broke promises never to prosecute people assisting refugee claimants out of humanitarian motives when they brought charges against US church worker Janet Hinshaw-Smith.
Read

Algerian refugee tortured in US

In September 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day to call for a public review of the case of Benamar Benatta. Canada illegally transferred Benatta to the US, where he was imprisoned and tortured on allegations of terrorism.
Read

Safe Third Country Agreement

In August 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Cabinet, expressing concern about the designation of the United States as a safe third country for refugee claimants. We asked Cabinet to conduct a review of that designation.
Read

Refugee Appeal Division

In August 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Senator Anne C. Cools, asking the Canadian Senate to vote in favour of Bill C-280 and support refugees’ right to an appeal on the merits of their case.
Read

Family Reunification Manifesto

In March 2007, the Mennonite New Life Centre signed on to the CCR Family Reunification Manifesto, urging the Canadian government to give priority to speedy family reunification.
Read

Armed immigration enforcement officers

In December 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote to Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day, asking him to reconsider his decision to provide side arms to CBSA officials.
Read

International migrant’s day

On December 18, 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre wrote a letter to Minister of Immigration Monte Solberg, asking Canada to sign on to the Migrant Workers Convention and protect the rights of migrant workers, including undocumented workers.
Read

Brief: Undocumented immigrants

In November, 2006, the Mennonite New Life Centre prepared a Brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration outlining our concerns at the problems faced by undocumented immigrants in the areas of labour exploitation, denial of services, and inadequate processes for obtaining status.
Read
turquoise arches
turquoise leafs

"The Mennonite New Life Centre and its BEMC program came in very handy for me at the lowest ebb of my life by providing a lifeline and I am eternally grateful for that,”

Victor- BEMC student

What’s Your Story

Read More Stories
Let us know how we can help you
Contact Us
green leafs
Search

Main

Pages

Social

Contact

647-812-1332 info@mnlct.org
Contact Us
leaf

In-person appointments are available Mondays to Fridays at our Finch office. Please contact us to make an appointment. We continue to offer services via phone, email, and online.

Locations

Queen Site

Administration office only, we do not serve clients here. 

1774 Queen St East
Toronto, Ontario
M4L 1G7
Telephone: 647-812-1332
Fax: 416-699-2207
Email: info@mnlct.org

Check here for parking options

Keele Site

2737 Keele St, Units 9, 112
North York, Ontario
M3M 2E9
Telephone: 647-812-1332
Fax: 647-776-2061

Email: info@mnlct.org

Hours of service:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Check here for parking options

Finch Site

1122 Finch Ave West, Unit 1
North York, Ontario
M3J 3J5 
Telephone: 647-812-1332
Fax: 416-736-0775
Email: info@mnlct.org

Hours of service:
Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Check here for parking options

Copyright MNLCT 

2025

 – All Rights Reserved | Charitable Registration # 107691149 RR0001

leaf

Our regular settlement services and Resource Centre hours will resume at our Keele office (2737 Keele St., Units 9, 111 & 112. ) starting Monday, July 7. Please contact us before coming to our office: 647-812-1332, info@mnlct.org