Christina Clark-Kazak

(she/her/elle)

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A young boy plays with a Canadian flag with his mother, originally from the Philippines, during a Canada Day citizenship ceremony at in Winnipeg, Man., on Canada Day in 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Here’s why Canada needs to ditch age‑based immigration points

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

As Canada contemplates major changes to points-based immigration, it has a historic opportunity to right ageist wrongs.
Changing immigration regimes create uncertainty that post-secondary institutions currently aren’t equipped to accommodate. The Canadian flag flies on the roof of the West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in November 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada cannot afford to lose international research talent — here’s what needs to change

Evren Altinkas, University of Guelph and Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Canada should redress age biases in the ranking system that serves as the primary mechanism for skilled workers to attain permanent residence in the country.
Canada needs to do better to attract top talent from around the world by supporting scientists and artists displaced by conflict and persecuted in their native countries. (Shutterstock)

3 ways Canada can welcome and support scientists displaced by war and persecution

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

People don’t lose their expertise when they cross borders. But they often face structural barriers due to language, precarious immigration status and decreased access to support from academia.
A Sudanese refugee carries her son as they arrive in Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, in May 2023. Sudan has been torn by civil war for more than a year, resulting in a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Canada’s family‑based immigration program for Sudanese fleeing war is too little, too late

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa and Bantayehu Shiferaw Chanie, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

By capping immigration applications from Sudanese people fleeing the civil war at 3,250, and limiting eligibility to Sudanese with family in Canada, the federal government is leaving millions behind.
Hanadi Alashi points to Palestinian family members in a photo at her home in Ottawa on Dec. 1, 2023. Alashi is one of many Canadians who have applied for family members to come to Canada under a special extended family visa program created in response to the conflict in Gaza. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Asylum seekers from Gaza and Sudan face prejudiced policies and bureaucratic hurdles

Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation and Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

Refugee programs in Canada have always been politicized, but more so in recent years, evidenced in discrepancies between programs for refugees from Gaza and Sudan and those from Ukraine.
Workers demolish the temporary installation for refugee claimants at Roxham Road in September 2023 in St. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que. Since then, refugee claims have increased. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Canada needs a national strategy for homeless refugee claimants

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

We know how to reduce homelessness and uphold our responsibilities to those seeking asylum and protection. Now all we need is the political will.
RCMP officers approach a woman as she enters Canada via Roxham Road near Hemmingford, Que., on March 25, 2023. Asylum-seekers at the unofficial crossing will now be turned away following amendments to the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

3 ways Ottawa can rebuild trust following changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

The renegotiated Safe Third Country Agreement was politically expedient for Justin Trudeau’s government, but poses real policy and programming challenges.
Image credits clockwise: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik (Biden & Trudeau), DCMR logo, Creative Commons/Daniel Case (Roxham Road street sign), Ryan Remiorz/CP (father comforts son), AP Photo/Charles Krupa (RCMP greet migrants), Unsplash/Ra Dragon (“Refugees Welcome”), CP/Paul Chiasson (a man in handcuffs in 2017 at Québec border).

Roxham Road: Asylum seekers won’t just get turned back, they’ll get forced underground — Podcast

Boké Saisi, The Conversation; Ollie Nicholas, The Conversation, and Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

Migration expert Christina Clark-Kazak explains the devastating consequences of the recent change to the Safe Third Country Agreement made by U.S. President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.
People walk on the road near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as they flee fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels in May 2022. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

Why Canadians should be concerned about intensifying violence in Congo

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Canada is connected to the Democratic Republic of Congo through the global economy, international peacekeeping efforts and migration. We must not ignore violence because it’s far away.
There are several moves afoot to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. It’s long overdue. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Why lowering the voting age in Canada is such a good idea

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Voting rights in Canada have changed over time to become more inclusive. Challenging age discrimination in Canada’s election system could be the next step in expanding and strengthening our democracy.
A 41-year-old man presses his palms against the window of a train as he says goodbye to his five-year-old daughter as she leaves for Lviv at the Kyiv station on March 4, 2022. He was staying behind to fight Russian forces. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Family separations in Ukraine highlight the importance of children’s rights

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Policies and programs to address war-induced displacement in Ukraine must explicitly take into account the rights of children, including the best interests of the child.

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