ABSTRACT
This chapter utilizes the term “environment” rather than the narrower term “climate” to acknowledge that climate change is a subset of environmental changes that may include natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, or other anthropogenic changes, such as dams or deforestation. Changes in US immigration rules by the Trump administration, and their ripple effects, have a direct impact on Canada. One response to the changes in US immigration policy is that an increased number of individuals and families have been claiming refugee status outside of regular border crossings or airports, which is the usual location of claims in Canada. Canada’s unique model of private sponsorship is currently being considered by several other nations, and is being promoted as a promising alternative pathway for dealing with conflict-induced migration. Canada accepts refugees as permanent residents through two pathways: resettled refugees and in-land claims.
