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Showing posts with the label Humanitarianism

Adventures from the Archives part XI

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Here's the latest from the adventure from the archives series! I hope you enjoy taking a look :) What:  A welcoming guide for Ugandan Asian refugees Who: Secretary of State and the Citizenship Branch When: December 1st 1972 Where: Canada So what: Showcases exactly what the Canadian government wanted refugees to know regarding life in Canada. It also reinforces the importance of collaboration between the several departments within the federal government and local NGOs, religious groups, and volunteers in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for newly arrived refugees. Here are some very interesting excerpts from the document: page 1 click to zoom " In addition, Uganda Asian committees have been set up in larger cities to assist you with your adjustment to your new homeland. They include representative of government, community organizations and the Asian community in Canada. " The welcome brochure outlines specifically how there are several Ugand...

Adventures from the Archives Part VII

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Hello blog world! Sorry for the massive delay in writing another adventure from the archives. Things have been a little hectic but the good news is that a potential publication on Ugandan Asians in Canada may be available for all of you to read in the coming months! Without any further ado let's get into this week's find from the archives. We have an updated memorandum to cabinet from September 1972 and it follows up from the previous memorandum submitted in August featured in adventure from the archives part II . What: Memorandum to the Prime Minister's office/ Cabinet Who: Sent by Bryce Mackasey, Minister for Manpower and Immigration When: September 13th 1972 Where: Ottawa So What: Marks the first official increase of Ugandan Asian expellees to come to Canada and proposes that Canada accept anyone who qualifies under the points system as well as an additional 1,000 who would require special humanitarian assistance. p age 1...

Adventures from the Archives Part VI

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Hello blog world! Here is the latest instalment of the adventures from the archives series. This week features an early press release after the initial expulsion period ended on November 3rd 1972. What:  Press release on Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada Who: Robert Andras (the new Minister for Manpower and Immigration after Bryce Mackasey) When: December 5th 1972 Where: Ottawa So what? The press release makes in quite clear that there was a considerable amount of assistance on the ground for resettling Ugandan Asian such as courses under the Canada Manpower Training Program and the 12 Ugandan Asian committees set up across Canada. Page 3 - Click to zoom Page 1 - Click to zoom Page 2 - Click to zoom Take a look at this short press release to get a sense of how Ugandan Asian refugees were initially adapting to Canadian society. Some highlights and statics from the press release are: " Nearly 50% of the 2,200 Ugandan Asians who registered for employment...

Adventures from the Archives Part V

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Hello blog world, Here is the latest segment of the adventure from the archives series. This week's article is a cabinet submission to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau  two days before Canada announced their decision to send an immigration team to Kampala. I encourage you to read through the actual memorandum but as always I have included some highlights below :) What: Memorandum to the parliamentary cabinet Who: Bryce Mackasey - Minister of Manpower and Immigration When: August 22nd 1972 Where: Ottawa So what: The document makes it clear that there were several motives behind Canada's involvement in the resettlement of Ugandan Asian refugees. It also highlights the complications as to whether this was just an excellent opportunity to accept a large number of highly skilled individuals, to appease Britain's pressure to get involved, or the Canadian government acting on pure humanitarian intentions. Was is truly opportunism or humanitarianism? As you'...