CARL

The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) was launched on September 9, 2011 when over 150 lawyers and academics gathered in Toronto and online via satellite locations throughout Canada. Relying on the broad expertise of its members, the new association will serve as an informed national voice on refugee law and human rights, and promote just and consistent practices in the treatment of refugees across Canada.

The Resource Committee is developing a mentorship program, which will pair new refugee lawyers with our more experienced colleagues in order to ensure high quality legal advocacy for our clients. Mentors will be encouraged to share precedents and guide new lawyers as they develop their practice. If you are interested in either being mentored or becoming a mentor, please contact either Richard Bennett or Lisa Couillard.

The work of this committee is multifaceted. It intends to provide research and resource support for interventions and legal challenges; disseminate information to the membership on international and national developments; and assemble research on relevant issues to be published on CARL’s website. The committee’s tasks will continue to grow and develop. If you would like to be involved, please contact co-chairs Audrey Macklin, Donald Galloway or Pia Zambelli.

The Advocacy Committee will focus its efforts on public advocacy and information as well as law reform. It will develop key and consistent messaging, coordinate advocacy efforts before parliament and the public and coordinate media relations. To become involved in this committee’s work, please contact co-chairs Peter Showler or Caitlin Maxwell