Sanctuary, Sovereignty, Sacrifice: Canadian Sanctuary Incidents, Power, and Law

Joseph Garcea is a professor of political Studies at the University of
Saskatchewan.

Sanctuary is an important concept in a world in which there is a
seemingly endless migration of people seeking refuge from political and
military storms. Over time sanctuary has involved church and community
groups harbouring individual migrants or migrant families facing arrest
and deportation.

This book examines the features of Canadian sanctuary from 1983 to
2003, with a special focus on the decreased role of government and the
increased role of community and church organizations in providing
sanctuary. In discussing the limits of the law in relation to sanctuary,
the author asserts that in some instances the law clearly authorizes
sanctuary, while in other instances it is quite flexible in ensuring
that individuals seeking sanctuary are provided with the requisite
protection and support. Success in resolving approximately three dozen
incidents of sanctuary in Canada during the past two decades is
remarkably high.

Sanctuary, Sovereignty, Sacrifice is recommended for academics,
human-rights lawyers and activists, and others with an interest in
issues of sanctuary.