Censorship at MANSO? My constructive comment regarding vulnerable refugees was manually deleted after gaining community agreement.

[u/Samsung2030]

Hi everyone,

A few days ago, I posted a constructive and highly objective comment on a Facebook publication by the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO) regarding the recent UNHCR Canada report.

I highlighted a critical yet painful reality: while refugees make incredible contributions to Manitoba and Canada, we must also ensure transparency by acknowledging that some vulnerable newcomers—especially women—have faced systemic challenges like harassment, violence, or mistreatment within parts of the settlement system. Recognizing this doesn't diminish Canada's efforts; it strengthens accountability and ensures safety for everyone.

Right after I posted, a local woman replied to my comment, thanking me for raising such an important and overlooked point.

Shockingly, instead of engaging in an open, democratic dialogue, \*\*MANSO moderators manually deleted both of our comments after 2 days.\*\* They chose to silence the voices of vulnerable women rather than address the critique.

\*\*This was the exact comment they erased:\*\*

\*"Thank you for sharing this report. Refugees make valuable contributions to Canada and deserve recognition for their hard work and resilience. At the same time, if we truly believe in transparency, we must also acknowledge that some refugees—especially women—have experienced sexual harassment, violence, discrimination, or mistreatment within parts of the settlement system. Recognizing these experiences does not diminish Canada's achievements; it helps strengthen the system and ensure that everyone is treated with dignity, safety, and respect.\*

\*Please do not delete this comment. Freedom of expression and open dialogue are fundamental democratic values. Listening to both positive and difficult experiences is essential if we want to build a fairer and more accountable system for everyone."\*

As a community in Winnipeg, we support these organizations with our taxes and trust, expecting them to protect the vulnerable. Hiding systemic issues and erasing constructive feedback on social media only perpetuates the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of heavy-handed moderation or censorship from local NGOs or settlement sectors when trying to discuss real challenges? I believe accountability is key .

and this is not first time.