Refugee Law Night: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Refugee Law
On Thursday, March 19, 2009, a new documentary film by Karen Cho, "Seeking Refuge", will be shown at 5:00 p.m. in Lafleur Amphitheatre in Fauteux Hall (FTX 147A). The film will be followed by an open panel discussion on any topic on refugee law of interest to the audience.
The Film: “Seeking Refuge” (InformAction) portrays five asylum seekers set out on the lengthy journey to be accepted as refugees in Canada. From border crossings to refugee shelters, a moving look at the lives of people who navigate Canada’s complex refugee determination system after escaping war, persecution, rape and political unrest.
The Panel: All of the panel members have immense experience in the practice and teaching of immigration and refugee law.
Lorne Waldman: one of the most pre-eminent immigration and refugee lawyers in Canada. He has argued many of the most important immigration cases to come before the Supreme Court of Canada. He is the author and editor of Immigration Law and Practice and is an adjunct professor at the Universities of Toronto and Ottawa.
Michael Bossin: an immigration and refugee lawyer in the Ontario Legal Aid Clinic system for more than 25 years. He has appeared at every level of court and has co-taught at uOttawa since 1995. He is the past president of the Canadian Section of Amnesty International. He has written extensively on refugee issues.
Chantal Tie: has practiced immigration, refugee and human rights law for more than 25 years. She has argued refugee and women’s rights cases at every level of court, often representing LEAF, NAWL and the Canadian Council for Refugees. She co-teaches Immigration and Refugee Law at uOttawa with Michael Bossin.
Peter Showler, Moderator: is the Director of the Refugee Forum at the Human Rights Research and Education Centre. He practiced and taught immigration and law for several years before becoming a member, then Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board (1999-2003). He is the author of Refugee Sandwich: stories of exile and asylum. Prof. Showler is also a featured commentator in “Seeking Refuge.”