Consulting you on CBSA's guiding principles and commitments on gender-based violence

From: Canada Border Services Agency

Current status: Closed

   Opened on: 2023-10-20 and closed on 2023-12-08

The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) is working to ensure that victims and survivors of gender-based violence who move through the immigration enforcement continuum are given the respect, protection, and support they need.

We have developed guiding principles and commitments on gender-based violence that will inform and guide CBSA policies, programs and how officers do their work. These efforts will also help the CBSA respond to its obligations under Canada’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

Who was the focus of this consultation

• Victims and survivors of gender-based violence
• Travellers entering Canada
• Organizations working with foreign national victims and survivors of gender-based violence
• Social justice and advocacy organizations
• All other interested parties who wish to voice their opinions

Key questions for discussion

1. Will the CBSA's guiding principles and commitments on gender-based violence:
   1. help victims and survivors to avoid further trauma/exploitation?
   2. Create more positive interactions with border officials?
2. Are there any other guiding principles and commitments that the CBSA should be adding?
3. Based on your experience, what are some concrete examples within the immigration enforcement continuum of where you would want to see the CBSA apply these principles and commitments?

We sought feedback on the draft guiding principles and commitments to help meet the following objectives:

• ensure that during their interactions with CBSA employees in the immigration enforcement continuum, victims and survivors of gender-based violence are treated with dignity, respect and in a consistent manner
• avoid further victimization and traumatization of individuals who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing gender-based violence
• balance responsible immigration enforcement programs with the need to uphold human rights and protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence

Feedback from the consultations may be used to further develop the various sections of the GBV Principles and Commitments and to inform any implementation considerations.

Related links

• The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
• Gender-Based Violence - Women and Gender Equality Canada
• National Strategy To Combat Human Trafficking 2019-2024
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
• Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Contact us

Innovation Policy Unit
Immigration and External Review Policy Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency
100 Metcalfe St., 10th floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8

Email: iepu-upeli@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca