Over 5,000 people rallied, marched, and met in 13 cities. Many of us braved heavy rain and lightning knowing that our collective action was essential to achieve status for all.
Even with the almost blanket media coverage of a funeral in England, we captured media attention. Dozens of outlets, including radio, TV and print, carried our message of full immigration status for all undocumented people, as well as all other migrant workers, student and families to millions of households.
This action is not a one-off. We must keep moving.
Step 1: Get the news out wider this week
Parliament is back, and our efforts must now kick into high gear. Many politicians have not been around over the summer, and now is the time to get their attention. There are a few ways to do this.
First is to share photos and videos from September 18.
Share photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
The second is sharing news articles. Nowadays, the more a news story link is clicked, the more it is shown to other readers. So, click each of these links and share as many as you can: Canadian Press, CBC National News Network, Le Devoir, La Presse, CTV Vancouver, CBC Toronto, Radio Canada Vancouver, Omni Filipino – Ottawa.
We have also created a playlist of all the TV coverage here. Watch and listen to hear migrants explain directly what they are facing.
Step 2: New this week: Understanding the response to M-44
Back in May, Parliament unanimously passed a symbolic motion (M-44) asking Immigration Minister Fraser to share a plan to ensure permanent resident status for workers of all skill levels. Yesterday, the immigration department submitted a 40-page report in response.
This report focuses on possible changes for farmworkers, care workers, migrant students and other migrant workers – but there are no details. It is separate from the regularization program that Minister Fraser is already in the process of developing for undocumented migrants (people who have already lost their status), which is moving ahead more quickly and we must keep up the pressure.
The M-44 report does two things: It re-announces changes already made, and it says that the government is reviewing the immigration system and may potentially make other changes in the future.
The lack of real change is frustrating. At the same time, it is our collective action that has forced the government to review the immigration system and it is up to us to make sure that we win status for all.
If you are a migrant, and are not already part of an organization, email us at info@migrantrights.ca and we will connect you to others like you.
Step 3: The fight ahead
In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to share updates about the fight for the rights of temporary migrant workers and students.
Right now we need to continue to fight for permanent residency for half a million undocumented people. Here’s what will happen next:
[A] Government Action: Soon the Minister of Immigration (elected) and the Department of Immigration (the bureaucrats) will write a “Memo to Cabinet” (MC). In it they will propose which and how many undocumented people should be given PR
Our Response: RIGHT NOW: We must sign petitions, make phone calls, and ask organizations to write letters to ensure that there is no delay, and that everyone is included. Educators: Add your name here; Healthcare workers: Add your name here.
[B] Government Action: Once the MC is finalized, it is submitted to one of the Cabinet Sub-Committees for review.
Our Response: Once we know which Cabinet Committee will receive the proposal, we will make sure that those Ministers hear from us.
[C] Government Action: The Cabinet Sub-Committee will send the proposal to the whole Cabinet.
Our Response: We will organize visits, rallies and calls to all members of the Cabinet.
[D] Government Action: Once Cabinet decides, the Immigration Department will create the application forms and other guides.
Our Response: We will keep up the pressure to make sure there is no delay
[E] Government Action: Once the Immigration Department has finalized its plan, the program will finally be announced.
Our Response: We will celebrate, and demand changes if anyone is left out
[F] Government Action: The program will be launched
Our Response: We will together make sure that all undocumented people can apply while campaigning to expand the program if it is exclusionary.
As you can see, we don’t have timelines listed. We have learned from COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine that when the government wants to move quickly, it will. Our actions will determine how quickly we can win status for all.
September 18 Endorsers / Appuyé par les organisations suivantes : 350.org Canada, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Apatrides anonymes, Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network (ARSN), Black Lives Matter – Canada, Canada Without Poverty, Broadbent Institute, Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario, Canadian Federation of Students – National, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence Ltd., Canadian Refugee Health Network, Canadian Women’s Foundation, Centre d’aide aux familles latino américaines (CAFLA), Centre des femmes de Laval, Centre international de solidarité ouvrière (CISO), Citizens for Public Justice, Climate Action Network – CAN-RAC, Coalition étudiante pour un virage environnemental et social (CEVES), ClimateFast, Collectif Bienvenue // Welcome Collective, Community Solidarity Ottawa, Council of Canadians, Le Conseil Des Canadiens, CUPE Local 3902, CUPE Ontario, Davenport Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, David Suzuki Foundation, Earth Education League, ETFO / PETL, Fédération des femmes du Québec, FoodShare Toronto, Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) Foyer du Monde, Global Peace Alliance Society, Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team (HAMSMaRT), HIV Legal Network, Hogan’s Alley Society, Hospital Employees’ Union, Indigenous Climate Action, Inter Pares, Italian-Canadians for Black Lives, Jasper Employment & Education Centre, Jesuit Refugee Service Canada, Justice For All Canada, Justice for Workers, KAIROS Toronto West, Leadnow, Legal Clinic of Guelph & Wellington County, Mary Ward Centre – Toronto, Médecins du Monde / Doctors of the World, Migrant Action Centre, Migrant Worker Community Program, La Ligue des droits et libertés, Médecins du monde Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste, National Union of Public and General Employees, Neighbourhood Legal Services, Niagara Community Legal Clinic, Oasis Dufferin Community Centre, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), Ontario Federation of Labour, Ontario Nurses’ Association, Ontario Parent Action Network, Ontario Nurses’ Association, OPIRG Carleton, Ottawa and District Labour Council, Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin, Community, Oxfam Canada, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Romero House, SEIU – Local 2, Showing up for Racial Justice – Toronto, Social Justice Co-op NL, Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre, SWAN Vancouver, SURJ XYE, The Caring for Social Justice Collective-Le Collectif Soignons la justice sociale, Toronto350, The Neighbourhood Group, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada), Vancouver and District Labour Council, Water Watchers, Workers Solidarity Network, West Coast LEAF, YWCA, YWCA Toronto. Please endorse this action/Veuillez SVP endosser cette action.