![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bygeorgejournal.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/NI_UN-300x188.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Niagara Independent, December 7, 2018 \u2013\u00a0<\/em>The longer title to the \u201cUN Global Compact\u201d document is the\u00a0United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration<\/em>. Canada\u2019s Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen\u00a0will sign this international document on Canada\u2019s behalf on December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.<\/p>\n Though most Canadians have heard little or nothing of this international initiative, the Canadian government has played a leading role in advancing the UN\u2019s \u201ccooperative framework.\u201d Our country\u2019s diplomats are at the forefront of discussions designed to resettle 1.4 million refugees and migrants to willing host countries, presumably those countries who sign onto the UN Global Compact.<\/p>\n The debate in Ottawa revolves around what the signing of this document commits the Canadian Government to regarding its current and future immigrant policies. Is the UN Global Compact a political statement of humanitarian principles for refugees and migrants? Or is it a UN blueprint for the development of international migration policies?<\/p>\n The Global Compact is a 34-page public document espousing lofty ideals \u2013 as well as introducing prescribed policy suggestions. The preamble states: \u201cRefugees and migrants are entitled to the same universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, which must be respected, protected and fulfilled at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n The agreement refers to refugees \u2014 those fleeing war and persecution whose government has failed to protect them \u2013 and to migrants \u2013 those choosing to move for economic or personal gains.<\/p>\n One of the \u201cguiding principles\u201d found within the document is a \u201cwhole-of-society approach\u201d to promoting mass migration. It clearly identifies a role for media to foster a greater acceptance and understanding of the migration of peoples. It calls upon governments to \u201cpromote independent, objective and quality reporting\u2026 and stopping allocation of public funding or material support to media outlets that systematically promote intolerance, xenophobia, racism and other forms of discrimination towards migrants.\u201d In other words, the UN is setting suggested guidelines for governments to actively instruct (and if necessary restrict) their media.<\/p>\n The expectations for the signing countries is found within the back pages of the document. It sets out the terms for implementing the UN Global Compact \u2013 with action to start immediately. \u201cWe commit to fulfill the objectives and commitments outlined in the Global Compact, in line with our vision and guiding principles, by taking effective steps\u2026\u201d (page 32) and \u201cWe encourage all Member States to develop, as soon as practicable, ambitious national responses for the implementation of the Global Compact\u2026\u201d (page 34).<\/p>\n In a\u00a0Maclean\u2019s\u00a0<\/em>editorial coauthored by Immigration Minister Ahmed\u00a0Hussen, he stated the Liberal Government\u2019s resolute commitment for the migration initiative:\u00a0<\/em>\u201c<\/em>The Compact isn\u2019t just a bunch of words on paper. It represents the common understanding and political commitment to protect and find solutions for refugees\u00a0differently. This is why it lists new strategies and specific goals.\u201d<\/p>\n Minister Hussen continues: \u201cSo\u00a0Canada is committed to the task of\u00a0leading and encouraging other partners to realize its ambitious goals,\u00a0to ensure that action breathes life into the words of the\u00a0Compact.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, this Fall the Liberal Government launched a campaign to \u201ccommunicate\u201d the benefits of immigration.\u00a0 In a recent Canadian Club speech in Toronto, Minister Hussen observed, \u201cThe anti-immigrant, anti-refugee rhetoric that is all around us \u2014\u00a0we are not immune to that. This is the challenge before me and all of us\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to double down on immigration, but also to really, really communicate, and listen carefully and communicate the real benefits of immigration locally.\u201d<\/p>\n The objectives of our Immigration Minister, along with MP Justin Trudeau\u2019s repeated claim that Canada will become the world\u2019s \u201cfirst post-national state,\u201d bring into sharper focus the questions concerning what exactly the Canadian Government is committing to, having led, and now signing the UN Global Compact document.<\/p>\n Canadians should read this document for themselves:<\/p>\n https:\/\/refugeesmigrants.un.org\/sites\/default\/files\/180713_agreed_outcome_global_compact_for_migration.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Next week: The Opposition\u2019s view of the Global Compact<\/em><\/p>\n Chris George<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is an Ottawa-based government affairs advisor and wordsmith, president of\u00a0CG&A COMMUNICATIONS<\/a>. Contact:\u00a0ChrisG.George@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n