Halifax Refugee Clinic opens doors to dispel myths

The Halifax Refugee Clinic is opening its doors this afternoon to show Nova Scotians more about the refugee claim process. 

The clinic has received dozens of calls about refugee issues in the past month, with a particular focus on those fleeing Syria.

However, the clinic helps refugees from around the world, including countries such as Iraq, Kenya, Afghanistan, Libya, and Yeman. 

"We've seen a really big uptick in just cold calls," says Julie Chamagne, executive director of the clinic at 5538 Macara St.

Chamagne said the public is invited to meet staff and former clients of the clinic at the open house, which runs today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

"We thought it would be a good opportunity to bring people into our space, to dispel some myths, to channel all that positive energy and positive public interest," she says.

"And to get people knowing more about the different categories of refugees, some of the experiences refugees face and the whole asylum process in Canada."

Chamagne says in recent years she has heard a lot of negative rhetoric about refugees. Here are three myths about refugees the clinic is working to dispel. 

Myth 1: Refugees are queue-jumpers

The United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as someone who flees persecution. 

"Queue jumping for refugees, for asylum, doesn't exist," Chamagne says.

"When somebody has a risk for their life or flees persecution, they have to do whatever they can to get out of that situation and seek asylum. There's no such thing as a refugee queue in terms of asylum."

Myth 2: Refugees are a security risk

Every person who claims refugee status in Canada must undergo a thorough security check. The application process for most applicants includes a personal interview, and may include being fingerprinted and photographed. 
 
"It's such a long and detailed and complete and thorough application when you're making a refugee claim, you basically have to tell your whole life story," says Chamagne. "There's no reason to think they'd be a security risk, any more than any other population." 

Myth 3: Refugees use up resources

Nova Scotia takes in a relatively small number of refugees each year. Since Jan. 1, 2014, the province has accepted 360 refugees.

Last year, the Halifax Refugee Clinic helped people make 18 refugee claims, and this year it has assisted in 30 refugee claims.

The clinic provides free legal services and advice to refugee claimants who cannot afford a lawyer. It was founded in 2000 and is funded by the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia, along with private donors. It receives no core government funding.

It also runs a social enterprise called Section 96, which is a second-hand clothing shop whose profits go towards helping the clinic.