Egale Issue Brief: Bill C-31, Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act
February 24, 2012
An analysis of proposed amendments to Canada's immigration and refugee system and potential implications for LGBT refugees.  Full Text | PDF File

Updated Citizenship Guide Recognizes Gay and Lesbian Equality in Canada
March 14, 2011
Egale Canada is pleased that the new guide accurately reflects the current climate in Canada. Nonetheless, its obvious omission of our trans population highlights the urgent need to pass Bill C-389.  Full Text

Conservatives Failing Gay and Lesbian Immigrants
March 6, 2008
Toronto - The Conservative government is failing to support human rights and justice for gay and lesbians seeking immigration status in Canada, charged NDP Citizenship and Immigration critic Olivia Chow.  Full Text

LEGIT: Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force
July 18, 2004
National organization that offers information, experience and support for same-sex couples who are in the process of immigrating to Canada.  Link

House of Commons Immigration Committee Calls for New Definition of “Common-Law Partner”
March 22, 2002
The House of Commons Immigration Committee released its much-anticipated report on the proposed immigration regulations yesterday, agreeing with submissions made by LEGIT (Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force) and Egale, that the proposed regulation...  Full Text

Egale Appears Before Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
February 4, 2002
Egale will testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, addressing the inclusion of same-sex families in the “family class”, calling for...  Full Text

Lesbian/Gay Groups Appear at Immigration Hearings; Denounce Proposals That Would Exclude Most Same-Sex Partners From the Family Class
February 4, 2002
The national organizations LEGIT (the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force) and Egale Canada are jointly appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration concerning the proposed regulations under the...  Full Text

EGALE Submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
February 1, 2002
Until recently, same-sex partners were not recognized as members of the family class, and could only be admitted to Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.  Full Text

Egale Submissions to House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
February 1, 2002
Until recently, same-sex partners were not recognized as members of the family class, and could only be admitted to Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds...  Full Text

EGALE Supports Immigration Changes to Recognize Same-Sex Families
March 27, 2001
EGALE testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Bill C-11 today, welcoming the inclusion of same-sex families in the “family class”, calling for stronger measures to protect refugees facing...  Full Text | In French

EGALE Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
March 27, 2001
EGALE welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on Bill C-11, with a view to reforming and enhancing Canada’s immigration laws and policies.  Full Text | In French | DOC File

EGALE Appears before Immigration Committee to Demand Equal Immigration Rights
March 26, 2001
EGALE Canada, a national organization which advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, and their families, will testify tomorrow before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and will hold a Press...  Full Text

EGALE Welcomes Proposed Immigration Changes to Recognize Same-Sex Families
February 22, 2001
In responding to the introduction into Parliament yesterday of Bill C-11, EGALE welcomed the federal government proposal to include same-sex partners within the “family class” in Canadian immigration law. EGALE is a national...  Full Text

EGALE Response to Immigration Consultation Discussion Document On Family Issues
August 30, 2000
EGALE is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on these important proposals. We welcome the recognition of same-sex relationships within the family class. At the same time, we have a number of concerns, relating particularly to the cohabitation...  Full Text | DOC File

Help Same-Sex Couples Obtain Equal Immigration Rights
January 1, 2000
Currently, heterosexuals have an automatic right to sponsor an opposite-sex husband, wife or fiancé(e) to immigrate to Canada as a member of the “family class.” Lesbian and gay Canadians cannot sponsor the immigration of a same-sex...  Full Text

Immigration and Same-Sex Relationships
March 14, 1999
The following set of questions were prepared by Immigration Canada to guide its consideration into recognizing same-sex relationships. EGALE’s brief in reply may be found here  Full Text

Immigration Action Alert
March 14, 1999
The Department of Immigration is seeking feedback from Canadians about important changes to the Immigration Act, which could have a broad impact on the lives of lesbians, gays & bisexuals. Review their question list.  Full Text | In French

Recommendations to the Department of Immigration
February 9, 1999
Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the Department of Immigration, with a view to reforming and enhancing Canada’s immigration laws and policies. The recommendations in this paper have...  Full Text | DOC File

Lesbian/Gay Groups Support Immigration Changes to Recognize Same-Sex Families
January 8, 1999
The national lesbian and gay organizations EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) and LEGIT (the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force) welcomed today the recent government proposal to extend immigration regulations to include same-sex...  Full Text

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Announces New Immigration Directions
January 6, 1999
OTTAWA—The new directions for immigration and refugee protection legislation acknowledge the importance of reuniting families and recognize the need to modernize legislation to better reflect the reality of what constitutes a family.  Full Text

Lesbian and Gay Immigration Film Puts Spotlight on Discrimination in Canada
November 27, 1998
“The one thing that came across is that our relationship didn’t matter. It wasn’t legal, it wasn’t legitimate and, even if it was, it didn’t matter.” (Interview with Joan Bridget)  Full Text

Lesbian/Gay Groups Appear at Immigration Consultation
March 11, 1998
The national lesbian and gay organizations EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) and LEGIT (the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force) made a joint appearance earlier today before Immigration Minister Lucienne Robillard, PC, MP, and the...  Full Text

EGALE Brief to Immigration Legislative Review
March 11, 1998
Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE) welcomes the opportunity to participate in these consultations with a view to reforming and enhancing Canada’s immigration laws and policies.  Full Text

EGALE Questionnaire on Sexual Orientation Issues, 1993
January 1, 1993
In 1985 the all-party Parliamentary Committee on Equality Rights unanimously recommended that the Canadian Human Rights Act be amended to add sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination. In 1986, Justice Minister John Crosbie responded...  Full Text

Bill C-11: the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
That the phrase “common-law partner” in clause 12(2) of Bill C-li be replaced by the phrase “common-law partner (same-sex or opposite-sex)”;...  Full Text | In French