Welcome to the Canadian Sanctuary Network: a voluntary network which advocates for the fair treatment for refugees. Where possible, we work with refugees and their supporters to seek remedies for those whose refugee claims have failed, and face removal to a country where they are at risk.
We are inspired by the ancient practice of Sanctuary which is grounded in the belief that:
a. human life is sacred and worthy of protection.
b. there are places and spaces that are beyond the reach of the state.
Canada has both a domestic and international legal obligation to protect refugees. The sanctuary movement believes in acts of “civil initiative” to hold Canada accountable to these obligations and to protect refugees from being unfairly treated in Canada. In doing so, we seek to uphold Canada’s legal obligations, rather than disobey them.