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June 22, 2017

Advocates worry new agreement will hurt private sponsorship refugee program

New agreements between the federal government and the agencies who sponsor refugees threaten to make private sponsorship of refugees more like government sponsorship and drain the bank accounts of private sponsors, says Archdiocese of Toronto refugee advocate Martin Mark.

Private refugee sponsors need to guard the success of their program and protect their donors’ money, says Archdiocese of Toronto refugee advocate Martin Mark.

Published in Canada
July 20, 2016

Canada needs to step up help for Yazidis, vulnerable minorities

Martin Mark, executive director of Archdiocese of Toronto's refugee office, told the House of Commons Citizenship and Immigration Committee that Canada needs to help the Yazidi refugees

OTTAWA – The head of the Toronto archdiocese’s refugee office made an impassioned plea July 18 for Canada to to protect Yazidis and other vulnerable religious minorities.

Published in Canada
March 6, 2016

Refugee office growth meets demand

The joy is quite widely evident on the face of Tehetche Herve Mility as he greets members of his family among 50 refugees who arrived in Toronto with the aid of the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office for Refugees. Martin Mark, right, the executive director, says it is moments like these that make the countless hours devoted to securing a place in Canada for people fleeing oppression in their homelands all worthwhile

TORONTO - As refugees come streaming down the ramp at Pearson International Airport, there are screams, sighs, tears and laughter. Mothers, aunts, fathers, brothers extend their arms to touch, to encircle their daughters, nieces, sons and friends. It’s a mad, mysterious, inspiring breakdown of order and decorum.

Published in Features
January 25, 2015

A refugee is always an outsider

Gillian Fernandopulle left her Sri Lankan homeland as a refugee at age six. Despite being in Canada for the past 20 years, she says being a refugee is something that never leaves you.

TORONTO - At 20 Tarak has been divorced from everything — his family, his home, his childhood and a future that once seemed assured.

Published in Canada
January 13, 2015

Catholic sponsors set to answer call as Canada to take in 13,000 refugees

Syrian refugees warm themselves around a fire Dec. 3 in Ankara, Turkey. Martin Mark, right, executive director of Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto welcomes Canada’s pledge to bring in more refugees from the Middle East, but wished the government had consulted with refugee advocates before making its announcement.

TORONTO - Catholic refugee sponsors stand ready to do their part in bringing 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, but they want to hear more from the federal government about its plans.

Published in Canada
June 26, 2014

New refugee rules will tear families apart

Office for Refugees Archdiocese of Toronto director Martin Mark

On the eve of the annual June 20 World Refugee Day, Citizenship and Immigration Canada quietly announced changes to immigration rules that refugee sponsors say will tear apart refugee families who hope to restart their lives in Canada.

Published in Canada