December 13, 2024

Last week migrant care workers came together in an emotional press conference, demanding immediate action on the government’s delayed promises for permanent residency. Despite the heartbreak, careworkers are bravely speaking up and now we need your help to amplify their voices.

• Watch and share the video: YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Promised Care Worker Program Unimplemented

On June 3, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced new Caregiver Pilot programs to grant care workers permanent residency on arrival without unfair education and language barriers. This policy change came because migrant care workers with your support have been fighting for decades. Six months later, these programs remain unimplemented, leaving thousands—predominantly women from racialized communities—stuck in precarious jobs, separated from their families, and at risk of becoming undocumented. 

Keep the promise – Landed Status Now! 

• Nora Gonzales, who couldn’t attend her father’s funeral, said:
  “Please, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Miller, how long do we have to suffer? We have contributed so much to this country’s economy. We need permanent residence now!”
• Teresa Andrade, separated from her spouse and five children, said:
  “The June announcement gave us hope, but six months later, nothing has changed. We are living in fear and desperation.”
• Jhoey Dulaca, a former care worker, emphasized:
  “Caregivers are the backbone of countless families, yet we remain in limbo. This delay has kept us in abusive workplaces and separated from our children.”
• Julie Diesta, a former care worker demanded action: “Our members are hungry, losing their homes, and this delay is affecting their mental health”

Take Action: Share Migrant Care Worker Voices

1. Share Migrant Care Worker Voices: The stories of Nora, Mila, and Teresa deserve to be heard far and wide.
   Share it now: YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
   
2. Sign the Petition: Ensure fairness and equality by guaranteeing permanent resident status for all, including implementing the promised Care Worker program and stop cutting permanent residency.

Care Workers Deserve Justice

As the holidays approach, care workers remind us of the urgency of their demands. As Mila Buton said:

“Christmas is just around the corner. We want answers before then! Permanent residency for care workers must become a reality now!”

Your actions will make a difference. Together, we can win justice for migrant care workers who care for children, sick and the elderly. 

Watch the press conference on CPAC: CLICK HERE

Ottawa, ON (November 25, 2024) – Migrant and refugee leaders, along with housing advocates, gathered this morning at the House of Commons to demand an immediate end to immigration cuts, systemic exploitation, and racist rhetoric. The press conference took place just hours before Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) to discuss Canada’s immigration levels for 2025-2027.

Echoing the call from over 180 civil society organizations, migrant and justice groups called for bold action to address Canada’s deepening housing and affordability crisis, as well as the urgent need for permanent resident status for all migrants rejecting recent immigration changes. 

Drastic and misguided changes to immigration policy over the last 18 months will expel 2.3 million people over the next two years, exacerbating a growing humanitarian crisis. These cuts and an avalanche of restrictions—including new limits on permanent residency, cuts to refugee resettlement, and bans on family reunification—are pushing millions into precarious and potentially undocumented situations.

“This government’s decision to slash immigration and scapegoat migrants for the housing and affordability crises is cruel, unjust, and economically short-sighted,” said Sarom Rho, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network. “Migrants are vital to Canada’s communities and economy—we need permanent residency and rights, not cuts and exploitation.”

Speakers called on all political parties at CIMM to: 

• Call on the federal government to reverse its plan to slash immigration and expel 2.3 million migrants.
• Commit to permanent residency for all migrants, including international students, refugees, temporary foreign workers, and undocumented people.
• Address Canada’s systemic failures in housing, healthcare, and labor protections instead of scapegoating migrants.

The recent changes, including the immigration levels announcement, come at a time when migrants are being incorrectly blamed for the housing and affordability crisis. 

Michèle Biss, National Director for the National Right to Housing Network, rejected these ideas, stating “This scapegoating of migrants for the housing crisis demonstrates a lack of genuine commitment to the human right to housing. Experts have told government time and time again that the housing crisis is driven by factors like under-investment in non-market housing (like social, non-profit, and cooperative housing), lack of regulation of investors who treat housing as a commodity rather than a human right, and a severe lack of protections for renters experiencing renovictions, discrimination, unreasonable rent hikes and more.” 

The recent changes will particularly force precarious international students, temporary foreign workers, refugees and undocumented people into situations of greater abuse and violence.  

One of these people is Navjot Salaria, an international student graduate. “Over the years, international students have been vital to Canada’s economy, contributing billions of dollars in tuition fees, housing rent, and other costs. Many of them rely on the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program as a pathway to permanent residency,” said Salaria, a member of the Post-Graduate Work Permit Holders Committee & Naujawan Support Network, a committee and organization of international students and immigrant workers fighting exploitation, such as through their 24/7 encampment protest in Brampton since August 30, 2024. “Yet, as 200,000 PGWP holders face imminent permit expirations in 2024 and 2025, the government’s abrupt policy shifts expose a lack of commitment and stability, leaving these students’ futures in jeopardy.” 

Without permanent resident status, migrants face abuse and exploitation. 

“I came as a migrant farmworker and was physically and verbally mistreated. What me and other migrant workers face is slavery. Now the federal government and the media is saying that we are responsible for the housing crisis. We did not cause the crisis. We live in some of the worst homes, and pay the highest rent. Justin Trudeau called us a tap, to turn off and on, when he likes. But I am standing here to say I am a person. I have feelings. I deserve rights,” said Monieya Jess, an undocumented former migrant farmworker and member of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. “Now I am undocumented. Without papers, we’re blowing in the wind and can’t hold on to anything. Our families depend on us, but nobody will hire us and it’s hard to survive. PM Trudeau promised regularization of undocumented people – now he needs to deliver it. Without migrants there’s no Canada, we need status.” 

Canada is also slashing its refugee protections. “Behind the numbers slashed from the humanitarian component of the levels today are over 14,000 real people fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Canada or struggling in conflict zones around the world facing violence, starvation, and death. The announcement particularly fails those already here whom we have committed to protect and their family members abroad,” said Diana Gallego, President of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), a leading voice for the rights, protection, sponsorship, settlement, and well-being of refugees and migrants, in Canada and globally. “It is not an exaggeration to say that the action taken with the levels cuts will rob children of their futures and destroy families. People will lose their lives.”

Viviana Medina, a community organizer with the Immigrant Workers Centre in Montreal, reiterated Migrant Rights Network’s demands stating, “The Canadian government is cynically using immigration to create a disposable and vulnerable workforce – convenient to exploit to create economic growth and easy to dispose of during economic slowdowns. We demand that the government stop the implementation of these new immigration cuts for all migrants already in Canada. We demand a comprehensive regularization program and a stop to detentions and deportations, abolition of closed work permits, and permanent resident status for all.”

Background:

The federal government has slashed immigration over the last year and half with multiple policies, including:

Permanent residency

• • Permanent residency has been slashed for 2025 – 2027 limiting opportunities for migrants who are already living and working in Canada to transition to permanent status and increasing their likelihood of becoming undocumented. Particularly low-wage migrants are impacted. Even accepted refugees will be excluded. Questions remain about promised programs such as permanent residency on landing for care workers. 
  • Provincial Programs Abruptly Closed: Programs in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have been abruptly closed, while New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and PEI have changed rules without warning and spaces in these programs have been cut, leaving hundreds of thousands of migrants in limbo. Many of these programs were the only way through which low-waged workers could apply for permanent residency and this door has been effectively closed for 2025-2027. 
• Regularization of undocumented people delayed: In December 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau promised comprehensive regularization, a promise reiterated by multiple Immigration Ministers until June 2024, when the Immigration Minister abruptly about-turned despite proclaiming massive economic and humanitarian benefits of regularization. Minister Miller has since promised a smaller, undefined program that has not been announced. 

International students and graduated students

• No Renewals for Expiring PGWPs: Over 200,000 PGWPs are set to expire by end of 2025, leaving many stranded in Canada, some of whom have already applied for permanent residency, with no other options to stay. Many are being forced to choose between being uprooted and becoming undocumented.
• Ban on Family Reunification: Spouses of undergraduate and college students can no longer receive work permits, and spouses and children of graduate students in programs shorter than 16 months are also barred from being in Canada as of Fall 2024. 
• Study Permit Caps: The government capped study permits for undergraduate and college programs in 2024, with caps on graduate students coming in 2025. Even international students already in Canada will be barred from renewing their permits if the cap is reached.
• Higher Proof of Funds: Since January 2024, international students must show more financial resources—$20,635 per person plus tuition, up from $10,000. These increased requirements effectively shut out lower-income students.
• Work Hour Restrictions: As of November 2024, international students are limited to 24 off-campus work hours. These limits force those needing more income into undocumented work, increasing their risk of exploitation and wage theft.
• Restrictions on PGWP Eligibility: Graduates of private colleges and college students in fields not aligned with specific industries are no longer eligible for PGWPs, which are crucial for those wishing to work and settle permanently in Canada.  This restriction does not apply to bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree holders.

Temporary foreign workers

• Cuts to Family Work Permits: Only spouses of workers in managerial jobs will be eligible for work permits. Even high-wage workers, such as chefs and truck drivers, will face family separation. A promised expansion of work permits for family members of low-wage workers has been cancelled, disproportionately affecting women.
• Shorter Work Permits: Low-wage work permits (except for primary agriculture) will be limited to one year. Migrants will be forced to pay high fees to renew their work permits annually.
• No LMIAs in High Unemployment Areas: Starting September 26, 2024, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will not be issued in areas with over 6% unemployment, except for certain jobs in caregiving, agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, and education. Those already in Canada will be unable to renew their permits.
• Cap on Low-Wage LMIA Positions: Starting September 26, 2024, employers cannot hire more than 10% of their workforce through low-wage LMIAs, except in some industries like farming – one of the sectors with the most rampant labour violations – and caregiving. Those already in Canada will also be unable to renew their permits.
• End to Work Permits for Visitors: As of August 28, 2024, visitors can no longer transition to temporary work permits without leaving Canada, an option that many relied on to maintain status and income during long government delays in processing applications.

Refugees

• Increased Visa Rejections and Border Refusals: Reports indicate a surge in rejected visitor visa applications, with a higher ratio of refusals compared to approvals this year. Border officers are also turning away an average of 3,727 foreign travelers each month, many of whom may be potential refugees for whom the government has eliminated other options.
• 14,000 places slashed from the humanitarian component of immigration levels: These cuts impact real people fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Canada or struggling in conflict zones around the world facing violence, starvation, and death. The cuts in the humanitarian component particularly fails those already here whom we have committed to protect and their family members abroad, all but ensuring families will remain separated for many years to come.

###

MEDIA CONTACT (EN/FR): Karen Cocq, karen@migrantworkersalliance.org, 647-970-8464

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest coalition of migrant-led organizations advocating for immigrant and worker justice. For more information, visit www.migrantrights.ca.

Date: Monday, November 25, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM EST
Location: Room 135-B, West Block, House of Commons, Ottawa

What:
Migrant and refugee leaders and housing advocates from across Canada will hold a press conference to demand an end to immigration cuts, systemic exploitation, and racist rhetoric. This media event is taking place in advance of Immigration Miller’s presentation to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Canada’s 2025-2027 immigration levels later that day. The press conference will highlight the devastating impacts of recent federal immigration changes and call for real solutions to Canada’s housing and affordability crisis, and permanent resident status for all.

Why:
Migrants in Canada face abuse because of lack of permanent residency. Recent federal immigration changes, including drastic cuts to permanent residency, new restrictions on international students and temporary foreign workers, and harsh rules targeting refugees, have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis. These changes will push 2.3 million people out of Canada in the next two years, force millions more into more precarious conditions, and fuel exploitation and family separation. These changes are happening because the government is trying to shore up support by scapegoating migrants for Canada’s affordability crisis. 

Speakers will ask all parties at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), which will receive Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for consideration to:

• Call on the federal government to reverse its plan to slash immigration and expel 2.3 million migrants.
• Commit to permanent residency for all migrants, including international students, refugees, temporary foreign workers, and undocumented people.
• Address Canada’s systemic failures in housing, healthcare, and labor protections instead of scapegoating migrants.

Speakers:

• Diana Gallego, President, Canadian Council for Refugees
• Michèle Biss, National Director, National Right to Housing Network
• Monieya Jess, Undocumented former migrant farmworker, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change
• Novjot Salaria, International Student Graduate, Post-Graduate Work Permit Holders Committee & Naujawan Support Network
• Sarom Rho, Spokesperson, Migrant Rights Network
• Organizer, Immigrant Workers Centre

Background:

The federal government has slashed immigration over the last year and half with multiple policies, including:

Permanent residency

• Permanent residency has been slashed for 2025 – 2027 limiting opportunities for migrants who are already living and working in Canada to transition to permanent status and increasing their likelihood of becoming undocumented. Particularly low-wage migrants are impacted. Even accepted refugees will be excluded, and many will remain separated from their spouse and children for years. Questions remain about promised programs such as permanent residency on landing for care workers.
• Provincial Programs Abruptly Closed: Programs in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have been abruptly closed, while New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and PEI have changed rules without warning and spaces in these programs have been cut, leaving hundreds of thousands of migrants in limbo. Many of these programs were the only way through which low-waged workers could apply for permanent residency and this door has been effectively closed for 2025-2027. 
• Regularization of undocumented people delayed: In December 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau promised comprehensive regularization, a promise reiterated by multiple Immigration Ministers until June 2024, when the Immigration Minister abruptly about-turned despite proclaiming massive economic and humanitarian benefits of regularization. Minister Miller has since promised a smaller, undefined program that has not been announced. 

International students and graduated students

• No Renewals for Expiring PGWPs: Over 200,000 PGWPs are set to expire by end of 2025, leaving many stranded in Canada, some of whom have already applied for permanent residency, with no other options to stay. Many are being forced to choose between being uprooted and becoming undocumented.
• Ban on Family Reunification: Spouses of undergraduate and college students can no longer receive work permits, and spouses and children of graduate students in programs shorter than 16 months are also barred from being in Canada as of Fall 2024. 
• Study Permit Caps: The government capped study permits for undergraduate and college programs in 2024, with caps on graduate students coming in 2025. Even international students already in Canada will be barred from renewing their permits if the cap is reached.
• Higher Proof of Funds: Since January 2024, international students must show more financial resources—$20,635 per person plus tuition, up from $10,000. These increased requirements effectively shut out lower-income students.
• Work Hour Restrictions: As of November 2024, international students are limited to 24 off-campus work hours. These limits force those needing more income into undocumented work, increasing their risk of exploitation and wage theft.
• Restrictions on PGWP Eligibility: Graduates of private colleges and college students in fields not aligned with specific industries are no longer eligible for PGWPs, which are crucial for those wishing to work and settle permanently in Canada.  This restriction does not apply to bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree holders.

Temporary foreign workers

• Cuts to Family Work Permits: Only spouses of workers in managerial jobs will be eligible for work permits. Even high-wage workers, such as chefs and truck drivers, will face family separation. A promised expansion of work permits for family members of low-wage workers has been cancelled, disproportionately affecting women.
• Shorter Work Permits: Low-wage work permits (except for primary agriculture) will be limited to one year. Migrants will be forced to pay high fees to renew their work permits annually.
• No LMIAs in High Unemployment Areas: Starting September 26, 2024, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will not be issued in areas with over 6% unemployment, except for certain jobs in caregiving, agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, and education. Those already in Canada will be unable to renew their permits.
• Cap on Low-Wage LMIA Positions: Starting September 26, 2024, employers cannot hire more than 10% of their workforce through low-wage LMIAs, except in some industries like farming – one of the sectors with the most rampant labour violations – and caregiving. Those already in Canada will also be unable to renew their permits.
• End to Work Permits for Visitors: As of August 28, 2024, visitors can no longer transition to temporary work permits without leaving Canada, an option that many relied on to maintain status and income during long government delays in processing applications.

Refugees

• Increased Visa Rejections and Border Refusals: Reports indicate a surge in rejected visitor visa applications, with a higher ratio of refusals compared to approvals this year. Border officers are also turning away an average of 3,727 foreign travelers each month, many of whom may be potential refugees for whom the government has eliminated other options.
• 14,000 places slashed from the humanitarian component of immigration levels: These cuts impact real people fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Canada or struggling in conflict zones around the world facing violence, starvation, and death. The cuts in the humanitarian component particularly fails those already here whom we have committed to protect and their family members abroad, all but ensuring families will remain separated for many years to come.

###

MEDIA CONTACT (EN/FR): Karen Cocq, karen@migrantworkersalliance.org, 647-970-8464

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest coalition of migrant-led organizations taking action for immigrant and worker justice: www.migrantrights.ca 

Media Release
Migrant Rights Network

Nov 18, 2024

Toronto, November 18, 2024 – In a video uploaded Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attempted to justify his government’s Conservative-like plan to force 2.3 million migrants out of Canada in the next two years. His statements, which frame migrants as disposable and blame them for systemic crises, perpetuate harmful myths and deflect from policy failures. The Migrant Rights Network strongly condemns this rhetoric, which obscures the vital role migrants play in building Canada’s economy and communities, and calls for permanent residency status for all migrants to protect their rights.

“Trudeau’s comments are a slap in the face to the millions of immigrants who have built Canada’s economy and care for our communities and who have had the rules suddenly changed on them after they have built lives here. This is not water from a ‘tap’ as Trudeau says – we are human beings, and blaming us for crises caused by the federal and provincial government’s failures is disgraceful. Immigrants are not at fault for bad housing policy or economic mismanagement who can simply be uprooted and thrown out when it’s politically convenient. We need permanent resident status for all migrants and real solutions to the crisis of affordability that is impacting migrants and citizens alike.” – Syed Hussan, spokesperson, Migrant Rights Network. 

Migrants Are Not Disposable

The Prime Minister said about immigrants:

• “We could have acted quicker and turned off the taps faster.”

Immigrants and migrants are not “taps” to be turned on and off—we are people with rights, families, dreams, and potential who were promised equal rights and fairness but have been exploited and abused. Canada is not “lowering its population” – it’s uprooting millions of people who have built a life here. This dehumanizing, disrespectful and undignified framing of our families and communities is xenophobic.

Misrepresenting Migrants’ Contributions

Prime Minister Trudeau claimed:

• “The number of temporary students and workers that we admitted each year was left to the demands of the economy. It was usually a small portion of our population.”

This misrepresents reality. Temporary residents have outpaced permanent residents since 2008. This has been an intentional shift to a system that reduces people’s rights. International students alone contribute over $22 billion annually, more than Canada’s auto parts or lumber exports, while supporting over 200,000 jobs. Migrants fill critical roles in healthcare, agriculture, and technology, forming the backbone of many sectors. They are not and have not been a “small portion” but have been integral to the economic choices made by successive Conservative and Liberal governments – provincially and federally -for decades prior to the pandemic. 

Scapegoating Migrants for Housing & Affordability Crises

The Prime Minister stated:

• “Our cap on international students is already bringing rental prices down in big cities.”
• “This pause is going to give our economies and communities a chance to catch up.”
• “Fulfilling that dream [of coming to Canada] depends on having a good job, a decent place to live, and healthcare that you can access when you need it. We have to make sure our population doesn’t get ahead of those things.” 

International students and temporary foreign workers do not set rental prices or control housing supply. This is done by corporate landlords who renovict and demovict, provincial governments who eliminate rent control and don’t invest in public housing, and a speculative housing market that makes buying a home impossible for most. 

Migrants aren’t taking from the economy – they are adding to it. Temporary foreign workers and international students contribute billions of dollars annually to Canada’s social welfare system and take nothing back – they are underwriting public services for the rest of us. 

The recent changes do not ensure good jobs, a decent home or healthcare for migrants but will force them deeper into abuse. 

Recent Changes Do Not Protect Migrants From “Bad Actors”

The Prime Minister said:

• “Far too many colleges and universities used international students to raise their bottom line because they could charge these students tens of thousands of dollars more for the same degree.”
• “There are really bad actors who outright exploit people, who target vulnerable immigrants with promises of jobs, diplomas, and easy pathways to citizenship.”

The government is acknowledging exploitation but blaming those being exploited.  High tuition fees, restrictive employer-dependent work permits, and lack of access to permanent residency are federal and provincial policy choices that allow unfair treatment and have been left untouched by these recent changes.  These announcements  will result in 2.3 million permits expiring in the next two years which will worsen exploitation by making millions of people desperate and more susceptible to being preyed upon. 

Stereotypes About Asylum Seekers Are Dangerous

Trudeau also claimed:

• “Some temporary residents may turn to our asylum system when their visas expire as a shortcut to stay in Canada.”

This statement fuels dangerous stereotypes about migrants and asylum seekers. Seeking safety, stability, or opportunities is not a “shortcut”; it is a fundamental human right, enshrined in international and Canadian law. It is Canada’s own immigration system that pushes migrants into undocumented or precarious statuses. The government must address these failures instead of maligning those seeking a better life.

What the Prime Minister Needs To Do: 

The Migrant Rights Network calls on the federal government to:

1. End scapegoating of migrants and acknowledge their critical contributions to Canada.
2. Protect migrants already in Canada from all recent immigration cuts, abolish closed work permits and guarantee permanent resident status for all in order to ensure protection from exploitation. 
3. Invest in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure and reign in corporate interests profiting from basic needs in order to address systemic issues affecting all residents.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s remarks do not reflect the values of fairness and inclusion that everyone in Canada – citizens and migrants alike – expect. Canada’s success as a free and fair democratic society depends on welcoming and supporting migrants and immigrants, not vilifying them.

Contact:
Syed Hussan, 416-453-3632, hussan@migrantworkersalliance.org

Media Release
Migrant Rights Network

Oct 24, 2024

Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, October 24, 2024 – The Trudeau government continues to scapegoat migrants for the housing and affordability crisis, focusing on numbers of migrants instead of their rights and breaking its commitments to immigration. New permanent residents will be reduced to 365,000 by 2027, adjusting for the increases that responded to short-falls from border closures in 2020 (see background section below). For the first time, temporary immigration level targets are also being set. This announcement today by Prime Minister Trudeau glaringly did not include a single word about the rights and protections migrants need.

Syed Hussan, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network, expressed outrage at this announcement, stating: “We are witnessing a disgraceful assault on migrant rights in Canada as this government continues to scapegoat migrants for the housing and affordability crisis. The Liberals, desperate to claw back their sinking poll numbers, had already slashed over 775,000 study and work permits and now are further pandering to racism and xenophobia with these announcements. These Conservative-like policies are a gut-wrenching betrayal of their commitments to migrants, undocumented people, refugees and Canadians alike.”

“The government must abandon this dangerous path of using immigrants for political football, focus on rights instead of just numbers, and end the exploitation and abuse of migrants by ensuring permanent resident status for all.”

“The government’s decision to cut permanent resident levels is a shameful capitulation to rising anti-immigrant sentiment in a desperate bid to regain political favor.  These changes will force migrants into temporary or undocumented status, where they will be vulnerable to even greater exploitation and abuse and yet Minister Miller today announced a regularization program with only 50 spots in 2025!” Hussan continued. “Families will be torn apart, the financial burden on our communities will skyrocket, and the Canadian economy will contract. These policies not only fuel dangerous, racist scapegoating, but they will inevitably lead to more violence against marginalized communities.”

In a powerful open letter sent this morning to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, major organizations—including National Right to Housing Network, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Unifor, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Oxfam, Climate Action Network, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, Greenpeace, and National Union of Public and General Employees—warned the government that slashing permanent immigration will force more migrants into temporary and precarious situations, further entrenching their exploitation and worsening conditions for all workers. The letter, signed by nearly every major civil society group in Canada, shows that there is a unified consensus in Canada to expand, not reduce, permanent residency programs, abolish closed work permits and ensure regularization. Read the letter here.

While the Prime Minister focuses on the numbers of migrants and immigrants, he has abandoned his promises to improve rights and protections for these essential workers who pay into the social welfare system without accessing any of the rights. In fact, just today, the parliamentary Finance Standing Committee recommended ending tied work permits and establishing permanent residency for temporary migrants.

Hussan also highlighted the deep injustice of blaming migrants for Canada’s housing and affordability crisis: “The population grew by just 3.9% over two years, yet rents exploded by 20% – it is clear that migrants are not the cause. Instead of addressing corporate profiteering and systemic failures, this government is shamefully deflecting blame onto migrants. This is not just dishonest—it’s deeply harmful and reckless.”

The Migrant Rights Network and its allies are calling on the federal government to immediately reverse this decision and chart a new course that grants equal rights for all migrants. This includes ensuring permanent resident status for everyone, expanding protections for workers, and upholding human rights for all.

Background

Interviews are available with housing and immigration experts and migrants and immigrants across Canada. 

• Syed Hussan. Spokesperson, Migrant Rights Network. 416-453-3632. hussan@migrantworkersalliance.org.
• Mostafa Henaway. Immigrant Workers Centre, Quebec. 514-659-0106
• Byron Cruz. Sanctuary Health, BC. 604-315-7725.
• Stacey Gomez. Centre for Migrant Worker Rights, Nova Scotia. 902-329-9595.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Migrant Rights Network

Migrants Demand Equal Rights on Eve of Parliament’s Return

Cities Across Canada Unite to Demand Permanent Residency for All Migrants and an End to Racist Scapegoating

On the eve of Parliament’s return, massive, colourful actions will take place in eight cities across Canada, demanding equal rights and permanent resident status for all migrants and rejecting the racist scapegoating of migrants for the housing, healthcare, and affordability crises. Coordinated by Migrant Rights Network, the rallies, marches and protests are scheduled from September 12-15.

Without permanent resident status, migrants—including refugees, temporary foreign workers, current and former international students, and undocumented people—face mistreatment at work, exploitation by landlords, separation from their families, and are denied rights and protections afforded to others in Canada. Increasing anti-migrant sentiment is resulting in increased hate-motivated attacks and abuses. 

Prime Minister Trudeau promised to ensure permanent resident status and regularization for migrants. Instead of ensuring rights for migrants, Canada has capped study permits, barred most study permit holders from bringing their families, limited permanent residency, slashed work permits, refused to renew permits for graduated international students, imposed visas on Mexico, and increased visa denials.

Provincial governments responsible for housing, jobs, wages, education, and healthcare have joined in on the scapegoating of migrants to distract from their own policy failures. Many have also slashed or attempted to reduce refugee entries and have cut down on permanent residency approvals through provincial nominee programs.

WHAT: Cross-country actions against racism and for immigrant justice
WHEN: September 12-15, 2024
WHO: Migrant Rights Network and community organizations across Canada
WHY: To demand equal rights, permanent resident status for all migrants, and to reject racist scapegoating in the housing, healthcare, and affordability crises.
VISUALS: Hundreds of people in rallies, meetings or marches with massive banners, community members, hand-painted signs and flags of national and local organizations.  

Event Details:

• September 12, 2024
  • CHARLOTTETOWN: 5:00 PM, Boulder Park (Grafton St)
    Media contact: Ryan MacRae, 902-916-6510, Cooper Institute
    
• September 14, 2024
  • EDMONTON: 1:00 PM, Federal Building
    Media contact: Marco Luciano, 780-966-5908, Migrante Alberta
  • PETERBOROUGH: 12:00 PM, Constituency office of Michelle Ferreri
    Media contact: Peter Votsch, 416-891-8601
  • SUDBURY: 1:00 PM, Afro Women and Youth Foundation Community Centre
    Media contact: Scott Florence, 705-470-3323, Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre
  • VANCOUVER: 1:00 PM, Grandview Park
    Media contact:  Roxana Sonora, 236-880-9205, Migrant Workers’ Centre
    
• September 15, 2024
  • MONCTON: 2:00 PM, Riverfront Park
    Media contact: Niger Saravia, 506-251-7467, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change
  • OTTAWA: 2:00 PM, Human Rights Monument
    Media contact: Karen Cocq, 647-970-8464, Migrant Rights Network
  • TORONTO: 1:00 PM, City Hall
    Media contact: Fatima Hussain, 647-773-2068, Migrant Rights Network – Ontario

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest migrant-led coalition, comprising nearly 40 organizations in 8 provinces. Formed in Decemebr 2018, Migrant Rights Network is the only cross-country body that brings together self-organized migrants to unite for immigration and worker justice.

Contact for cross-Canada inquiries: Syed Hussan, 416-453-3632, hussan@migrantworkersalliance.org

Regularization and Permanent Resident Status for Care Workers in Canada Urgently Needed

Toronto, Vancouver, June 3, 2024 — Migrant Care Workers across Canada welcome changes to the caregiver program announced today that meets key demands from migrant care workers including: 

• Migrant caregivers will get permanent resident (PR) status on arrival – a critical demand of the migrant workers movement since 1979. Having PR will mean care workers can better protect themselves from abuse and exploitation. This change can serve as a template for permanent resident status on arrival for all temporary foreign workers. 
• Education requirements will be lowered from Canadian equivalency of 1 year post-secondary education in current pilots to high school equivalency.
• Attain a level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks, down from Level 5 in the current pilots.

Minister Miller announced that the reduced requirements for education and language requirements will be applied to care workers currently in Canada. This is critical as thousands of care workers have been left in limbo due to these barriers under the old program. But many care workers are still left out. 

Today’s announcement leaves out undocumented migrant care workers in Canada. All migrant caregivers in Canada who are undocumented due to failures of the programs must be regularized. 

See Migrant Rights Network submissions and care worker priorities

Questions remain about the new program such as criteria for job offers and the expansion of home care work to organizations. Care workers must be part of planning how the new pilot program will be finalized and launched.

Teresa Gutierrez is a migrant caregiver who has been in Canada for six years, but was denied permanent residency because of unfair education requirements, which have been reduced today. She met with Minister Marc Miller at a roundtable today and said, “Today you listened to caregivers like us who fought for changes to language and education requirements – and you’ve improved the program. But it’s too late for me. Soon I will be undocumented.  So I am here to remind you. You promised regularization this Spring. It’s June, and time is running out. I am reminding you to hear us, and give us regularization. I worked here in Canada for almost 6 years to take care of children. I left behind my own 5 kids just to let them have a better future. I know you’re a parent too. Do you know how hard it is for us parents to see our children growing without us? I am not the only one. There are hundreds of thousands of us in the same situation. And you have the power to fix this. We are demanding a regularization that will make a way to be reunited with my family, to have a better job, and have the same rights as everybody else. Thousands across the country are watching to see what you will do. Will you deliver on your promise? Will you fight for and defend regularization?”

Jhoey Dulaca of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, agrees, saying “We are welcoming and celebrating the news of permanent resident status on arrival as well as the lowering of educational and language requirements. Many thousands of caregivers have faced abuse and exploitation, and have been in limbo or have become undocumented over the last five years – Canada must now move urgently to implement a regularization program for undocumented caregivers to ensure no one is left behind.” 

Cenen Bagon, from Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers & Caregivers Rights, adds “Resilient foreign domestic workers, caregivers, and their long-time advocates have fought hard for recognition in Canada: if they are good enough to work, they are good enough to stay with permanent resident status upon arrival. Although the work is not over, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and IRCC Minister Marc Miller have come one step closer to hearing these decades-long calls for justice through these new pilots. We need regularization right now to ensure everyone is protected.”

Today’s changes are a long-time coming. In 2019, the federal government created a 5 year pilot, keeping most of the policy failures of the program created by the previous Conservative government in 2014, including increased education and language requirements. As a result, thousands of caregivers have been unable to gain permanent residency, either moving from one employer to another on tied work permits facing abuse, or becoming undocumented. 

###

For interviews with care workers

• TORONTO: Jhoey Dulaca, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change – 416-897-4388
• VANCOUVER: Cenen Bagon, Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights – 604-805-0384
• For background information and to receive updated press release after the full announcement today: info@migrantrights.ca 

Further Background

• Migrant Rights Network & Supporters Open Letter: Migrant healthcare and childcare workers deserve rights and permanent resident status (April 10, 2024)
• Migrant Workers Alliance for Change: Trudeau urged to uphold gender justice and ensure permanent resident status for all as thousands of migrant women face exclusion and deportation (March 8, 2024)
• Toronto Star: She’s been in Canada for a decade, but still can’t get permanent residence. Is Canada failing caregivers like her (March 8, 2024)

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest migrant-led coalition of 40 organizations in 8 provinces which are made up of tens of thousands of migrant members including farmworkers, domestic workers, current and former international students, refugees and undocumented people. The Landed Status Now Working Group is composed of all the migrant care worker-led organizations in Canada including Caregiver Connections Education and Support Organization, Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights, Migrante Canada and Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

Landed Status Now Working Group, Migrant Rights Network
Media Advisory

New Migrant Care Worker Program Announced

Toronto, Vancouver, June 3, 2024 — Migrant Care Workers across Canada are welcoming news of changes to the caregiver program set to be announced today at 4:45pm EST, which appeared, in part, in today’s Globe and Mail. 

“While we look forward to responding to all the requirements once they are made known to make sure that care workers in Canada are protected, we are welcoming and celebrating the news of permanent resident status on arrival as well as the lowering of educational requirements. Many thousands of caregivers have faced abuse and exploitation, and have been in limbo or have become undocumented over the last five years – Canada must now move urgently to implement a regularization program for undocumented caregivers to ensure no one is left behind.” 

– Jhoey Dulaca, Care Worker organizer, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change

According to reports today:

• A new program will be created which will grant permanent resident status on arrival to migrant caregivers – a critical demand of the migrant workers movement since 1979. This change can serve as a template for permanent resident status on arrival for all migrant workers. 
• Education requirements will be lowered from Canadian equivalency of 1 year post-secondary education to high school equivalency also in response to migrant care worker organizing. 

In addition to these two demands, the Landed Status Now Working Group of the Migrant Rights Network will be looking to see if the following have been addressed:

• Removal of unfair language testing requirements 
• Permanent resident status for all care workers on work permits in Canada without caps or exclusions
• Regularization – permanent resident status for all undocumented care workers in Canada.
• Expedited processing of permanent residency applications of caregivers in the backlog. 

See full care workers list of demands here.

Today’s changes are a long-time coming. In 2019, the federal government created a 5 year pilot, keeping most of the policy failures of the program created by the previous Conservative government in 2014, including increased education and language requirements. As a result, thousands of caregivers have been unable to gain permanent residency, either moving from one employer to another on tied work permits facing abuse, or becoming undocumented. 

###

For interviews with care workers

• TORONTO: Jhoey Cruz, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change – 416-897-4388
• VANCOUVER: Cenen Bagon, Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregiver Rights – 604-805-0384
• For background information and to receive updated press release after the full announcement today: info@migrantrights.ca 

Further Background

• Migrant Rights Network & Supporters Open Letter: Migrant healthcare and childcare workers deserve rights and permanent resident status (April 10, 2024)
• Migrant Workers Alliance for Change: Trudeau urged to uphold gender justice and ensure permanent resident status for all as thousands of migrant women face exclusion and deportation (March 8, 2024)
• Toronto Star: She’s been in Canada for a decade, but still can’t get permanent residence. Is Canada failing caregivers like her (March 8, 2024)

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest migrant-led coalition of 40 organizations in 8 provinces which are made up of tens of thousands of migrant members including farmworkers, domestic workers, current and former international students, refugees and undocumented people. The Landed Status Now Working Group is composed of all the migrant care worker-led organizations in Canada including Caregiver Connections Education and Support Organization, Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregiver Rights, Migrante Canada and Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

English

Avis aux médias
Réseau des droits des migrants

Une vaste coalition nationale fait pression en faveur de la régularisation à l’approche de la décision du Cabinet ministériel

Ottawa – Certaines des plus grandes organisations au Canada de travailleuses et travailleurs, de croyant-e-s, de défense des droits des femmes, des personnes migrantes et du logement social – représentant plus de 500 organisations – s’unissent sur la Colline du Parlement pour encourager le gouvernement Trudeau à respecter son engagement en matière de régularisation. Cette politique cruciale, car elle permet aux personnes sans papiers d’obtenir la résidence permanente, aura des retombées économiques et sociales durables et doit être discutée en conseil des ministres au cours des deux prochaines semaines.

Détails de l’événement:

OÙ : Salle 135-B, Édifice de l’Ouest, Chambre des communes 
QUAND : 9h30 EST, lundi 27 mai 2024
QUI : 

• Jane Kirabira, lesbienne ougandaise sans papiers
• Siobhán Vipond, Vice-président exécutif du Congrès du travail du Canada
• Frédérique Chabot, directrice générale, Action Canada pour la santé et les droits sexuels
• Emily Dwyer, Église unie du Canada
• Michele Biss, Directrice nationale, Réseau national pour le droit au logement
• Syed Hussan, Réseau des droits des migrants
• Cheolki Yoon, Centre des travailleurs et travailleuses immigrants (CTTI)
  

Pourquoi la régularisation est importante : 

• Impact économique : Elle ajoutera au moins 28 milliards de dollars à l’économie chaque année et augmentera les cotisations à l’assurance-emploi et au RPC de 5,6 milliards de dollars par an.
• Protections : Elle permet aux travailleurs, aux femmes, aux homosexuels, aux transgenres et aux communautés marginalisées de se protéger contre les abus, les harcèlements et la violence auxquels les personnes sans statut migratoire sont exposées.
• Précédent au niveau mondial : 24 des 27 États membres de l’UE ont mis en œuvre des programmes de régularisation, dont bénéficient environ 6 millions de personnes sans papiers.
• Droits humains : Les personnes sans papiers vivent et travaillent déjà au Canada, mais sont confrontées à l’exploitation et à l’exclusion. Leur octroyer la résidence permanente est le mécanisme qui leur permet d’accéder aux droits civils, politiques et sociaux, et à l’égalité.
• Test décisif et legs : Il s’agit du test qui permettra de juger des engagements pro-immigrants, pro-LGBTQ2I et féministes de Justin Trudeau; c’est aussi un investissement dans les générations à venir.
• Soutien massif : Plus de 500 organismes, dont la plupart des grandes organisations syndicales, environnementales, juridiques, sanitaires, climatiques, féministes et religieuses du Canada, soutiennent la régularisation. 
• Promesse historique : Le Premier ministre Trudeau a promis la régularisation en décembre 2021.

###

Migrant Rights Network est la plus grande coalition dirigée par des personnes migrantes et immigrantes au Canada. Nous faisons en sorte que les personnes qui n’ont pas le statut de résident permanent – les travailleuses et travailleurs migrants, les étudiantes et étudiants étrangers, les personnes sans-papiers ou réfugiées et leurs familles – puissent exercer leur leadership. Les organisations membres de Migrant Rights Network se sont engagées depuis longtemps à obtenir la régularisation et sont à la pointe des actions d’organisation pour la justice en matière d’immigration depuis plus de 20 ans.

Liaison avec les médias (EN/FR) : Karen Cocq, karen@migrantworkersalliance.org, 647-970-8464

Seuls les membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent participer à la période de questions et réponses, qui aura lieu sur place et via Zoom. Les médias qui ne sont pas membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent communiquer avec pressres2@parl.gc.ca pour obtenir l’accès temporaire.

Français

Media Advisory
Migrant Rights Network

Broad National Coalition Pushes for Regularization as Cabinet Decision Looms

Ottawa — Some of Canada’s largest labour, faith, women’s rights, housing, and migrant groups – representing over 500 organizations – are uniting on Parliament Hill to encourage the Trudeau government to fulfill its commitment to regularization. This critical policy, which provides permanent resident status for undocumented people, will have lasting economic and social benefits and is set to be discussed in Cabinet in the next two weeks.

Event Details
WHERE: Room 135-B, West Block, House of Commons 
WHEN: 9:30am EST, Monday, May 27, 2024
WHO: 

• Jane Kirabira, Undocumented Ugandan Lesbian
• Siobhán Vipond, Exeutive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Frédérique Chabot, Executive Director, Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights
• Emily Dwyer, United Church of Canada
• Michele Biss, National Director, National Right to Housing Network
• Syed Hussan, Migrant Rights Network
• Cheolki Yoon, Immigrant Workers Centre

Why Regularization Matters: 

• Economic Impact: Will add at least $28 billion to the economy annually and increase EI and CPP contributions by $5.6 billion per year.
• Provides Protections: Empowers workers, women, queer and trans people, and marginalized communities to protect themselves against abuse.
• Global Precident: 24 of the 27 EU Member States have implemented regularization programs, benefiting an estimated 6 million undocumented people.
• Human Rights: Undocumented people already live and work in Canada but face exploitation and exclusion. Permanent resident status is the mechanism by which rights and equality are accessed.
• Litmus Test & Legacy Defining: Is a test of Trudeau’s pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ2I and feminist commitments; and an investment in generations to come.
• Broadly Supported: Over 500 groups, including most major national labour, environmental, legal, health, feminist, climate and faith organizations in Canada support regularization. 
• Historic Promise:  Prime Minister Trudeau pledged regularization in December 2021.

###

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest migrant-led coalition. We ensure the leadership of people without permanent resident status – migrant workers, international students, undocumented people, refugees and families. Member organizations of Migrant Rights Network have a long-standing commitment to ensuring regularization, and have been at the forefront of organizing for immigration justice for over 20 years.

Media Liaison (EN/FR): Karen Cocq, karen@migrantworkersalliance.org, 647-970-8464

Participation in the question and answer portion of this event is in person or via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

[Read more…] about Advisory: Broad National Coalition Pushes for Regularization as Cabinet Decision Looms

PM Trudeau urged to ensure safety by delivering the promised regularization program on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Toronto – Gay, lesbian and trans undocumented people are speaking up on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, 2024 to call on Prime Minister Trudeau to affirm equal rights and dignity for all by creating the regularization program he promised in December 2021. Undocumented people already live, work and have deep roots here, but without regularization – permanent resident status for undocumented people – they are facing deportation to countries where they will face violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Many of these countries still have conversion therapy, strict anti-LGBTQ2I laws, punishment of same-sex relationships and even death penalties for queer people. Recently, the Liberal government reiterated its promise to bring a broad and comprehensive regularization program to Cabinet in the Spring, but Parliament is set to rise on June 6th, with no decision made yet.

Date: Friday, May 17, 2024

Time: 10:00 AM EST

Location: 2nd Floor, 720 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

What: Press conference with unmasked queer undocumented people and their supporting organizations

Speakers include:

• Charles Mwangi is a gay man from Kenya who works as a Personal Support Worker in a long-term care facility, and is facing deportation.
• Jane is a lesbian woman from Uganda, which recently made global headlines for legalizing the death penalty for queer people. She has been in Canada for 7 years.
• Maite Puerta is a queer woman from Colombia who has been in Canada for 8 years, working in cleaning.
• Debbie Douglas is the Executive Director of Ontario Council Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). OCASI’s membership comprises more than 200 community-based organizations in Ontario.
• Fred Hahn is the President of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario and the first openly gay president in CUPE.
• Swathi Sekhar is the Director of Protection Initiatives at Rainbow Railroad, which is a global not-for-profit organization that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide.
  

BACKGROUND

• Regularization is permanent resident status for undocumented people. See Migrant Rights Network’s position here: https://migrantrights.ca/regularization. 
• It’s time for regularization. The last major regularization program in Canada was in 1973 under then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Migrant organizing resulted in Prime Minister Trudeau committing to regularization in December 2021. Immigration Minister Marc Miller promised to bring a proposal on regularization to Cabinet in the Spring. 
• Undocumented people already live here. Undocumented people are not new arrivals. They have jobs, families, and roots in our communities. But they are unable to get any social services, benefits or protections because they are denied permanent resident status. Undocumented migrants are exploited by bad bosses and landlords, and face discrimination, abuse and deportation. Regularizing them, that is granting them permanent resident status, is about including them in the family of rights. 
• Regularization will combat poverty and grow the economy: Undocumented people work in cash-based jobs, or are under-employed. Regularized migrants will be able to work where they want and what they are skilled for and earn more income. A recent report about regularization in France, when applied to Canada, showed that regularization will increase economic activity by $28 billion per year. 
• Regularization will fund public services while the program will be cost neutral: Most undocumented people pay taxes but their employers, many of whom operate very profitable businesses, do not pay remittances. Regularizing 500,000 undocumented people will increase employer CPP and EI contributions by at least $5.6 billion, just in the first year. On the other hand, the cost of application processing will be met with existing funding and application fees. 
• Regularization will increase worker rights: Employers of undocumented workers steal wages and threaten them with deportations to stop them from asserting their rights. This abuse results in overall worsening of working conditions in the labour market for migrants and citizens alike. Regularization will allow workers to leave bad jobs, and punish bad actors. It will improve working conditions for everyone.
• Regularization will ensure public health: Migrants do not access healthcare until it is absolutely necessary due to high fees. By the time they do, their health conditions are much worse, and the impact on the healthcare system is much higher. Regularization will improve all our health. 
• Regularization will counter racism and increase gender inequality: Undocumented people are mostly racialized, low-waged people, often women. Regularization will give them the power to defend themselves against systemic exploitation. Women will be able to speak out against gender violence and leave conditions of domestic abuse.
• Regularization will build on best practices around the world: Regularization is a widely used policy tool – between 1996 and 2008, 24 of the 27 EU Member States implemented regularization programs, and some several times. An estimated 5.5 to 6 million people were regularized in that time. 

###

For media inquiries or to RSVP, please contact:
Fatima Hussain
Communications Organizer
fatima@migrantworkersalliance.org | 647-773-2068

Migrant Rights Network is Canada’s largest cross-country, migrant-led coalition. We ensure the leadership of people without permanent resident status – workers, international students, undocumented people, refugees and families. Member organizations of Migrant Rights Network have a long-standing commitment to ensuring regularization, and have been at the forefront of organizing for immigration justice for over 20 years.

Media Advisory

Actions Across the Country to Mark Anti-Racism Day, Launch #MigrantSpring to Call on PM Trudeau to Ensure Equality & Status

Migrants are calling for action as Immigration Minister promised permanent resident status for undocumented people in the Spring, and immigration programs for care workers and international students are set to expire

Charlottetown, Fredericton, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria — Eight communities in six provinces are organizing actions this weekend, March 16-17, 2024, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as immigrants and refugees are scapegoated for the affordability crisis and to launch #MigrantSpring, calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to deliver on regularization and permanent resident status for all migrants.

• WHAT: Migrant workers, students, refugees, undocumented people, and supporters marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and launching #MigrantSpring.
• WHEN & WHERE: March 16-17, 2024; time and locations vary by city, see below.
• VISUALS: Massive marches, teach-ins, community events featuring migrants, hand-painted banners, and signs.
• CROSS-COUNTRY MEDIA CONTACT: Syed Hussan, 416-453-3632, hussan@migrantworkersalliance.org (local media contacts listed below).

Background

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place on March 21. Spring is set to begin on March 19, and Parliament will rise for two weeks following the week starting on March 18, 2024.

Why #MigrantSpring launch to mark International Day for Elimination of Racism:

• Immigration Minister Marc Miller pledged to bring regularization to the Cabinet in the Spring. #MigrantSpring calls for a program that ensures permanent resident status for all undocumented people without exclusions.
• Thousands of care workers are at risk of deportation due to expiring programs or have already been excluded because of excessive requirements. #MigrantSpring calls for permanent resident status for all care workers, without unfair language and education requirements.
• Landlords, grocery monopolies, and governments are scapegoating migrants, blaming us for the housing and affordability crisis and perpetuating racism and division. #MigrantSpring pushes back against xenophobia and calls for decent work, housing, and universal services for everyone, including migrants.
• The federal government has capped permanent immigration. International students and their family permits have been restricted. Visas have been imposed on Mexico. Sudanese and Palestinian refugees face exceptional hurdles unlike Ukrainian refugees. The 20-hour work limit is set to be placed on international students on April 30th. These caps and exclusions mean that bad bosses can exploit migrants more, and racialized migrants are denied rights. #MigrantSpring demands equality and justice for all. 

Details of Actions Across Canada

Saturday, March 16, 2024

• Charlottetown, PE: 3:00 PM, Trinity United Church, 220 Richmond Street. 
  • Media contact: Ryan MacRae, 902-916-5002, Cooper Institute. 
• Montreal, QC: 1:00 PM, Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon (Parc Metro). 
  • Media contact: Mostafa Henaway, 514 659-0106, Immigrant Workers Centre (EN); Samira Jasmin,  514-809-0773, Solidarity Across Borders (FR). 
• Ottawa, ON: Saturday, March 16, 2024, 6:00 PM, Bronson Centre (MAC Hall), 211 Bronson Avenue. 
  • Media contact: Aimee Beboso, 613-255-1921, Migrante Ottawa. 
• Toronto, ON: 12:00 PM, Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor West. Media contact: 
  • Fatima Hussain, 647-773-2068, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

• Fredericton, NB: 11:00 AM, Conserver House 180 Saint John Street. 
  • Media contact: Niger Saravia 506-251-7467, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change;Tracy Glynn, 506-440-5592, Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre
• St John’s, NL: 2:00 PM, The Landing, University Center 2nd Floor, Memorial University. 
  • Media contact: Domé Lombeida, Maria Dussan, & Sobia Shaikh, 709-730-4322, Anti-Racism Coalition NL (ARC-NL) & The Quilted Collective. 
• Vancouver, BC: 1:00 PM, CBC Plaza, 700 Hamilton Street. 
  • Media contact: Julie Diesta, 778-881-8345, Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights; Rahil Adeli, 778-512-5152, Migrant Students United at SFU / Migrant Workers Alliance for Change; Omar Chu, 778-883-6627, Sanctuary Health, 
• Victoria, BC: 1:00 PM, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 501 Belleville Street. 
  • Media contact: Pamela Charron, 705-698-6380, Worker Solidarity Network