When Prime Minister Trudeau was elected in 2021, he promised he would expand permanent residency and regularize undocumented migrants in Canada. But instead of keeping his promise, the Federal government has announced cuts that will shut out at least 775,000 migrants and refugees. And in two weeks, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that he may even cut permanent residency spots going forward. These historic cuts will make it more difficult for migrants to access the basic rights all of us deserve.
We need to reject the racist scapegoating of migrants that is behind these cuts. That’s why we need you to send an email and tell Prime Minister Trudeau we are united in saying “Migrants need rights not cuts!”
Sign the petition and ask at least two other people to sign it, too!
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Who is to blame for Canada’s affordability crisis?
Many politicians and corporations distract us by telling us that migrants are the root cause of Canada’s affordability crisis. But here are the facts:
- Corporations continue to lay off thousands of workers while raking in record profits
- Politicians refuse to build high-quality affordable housing while slashing healthcare funding
- Landlords shamelessly reno-vict tenants and make rent unaffordable
The Federal cuts to immigration do not address the intentional decisions by corporations, politicians and landlords that have led to low-wages, unaffordable housing and precarious jobs.
How will these cuts impact migrants?
These immigration cuts will not help the affordability crisis. But they will hurt migrants. They will hurt tens of thousands of migrants who will suddenly find out they will not qualify for work permits anymore and their pathway to permanent residency is now impossible. This means more migrant workers will be forced into dangerous and exploitative jobs to make ends meet. More families will be separated. And with the government caving into anti-migrant and racist myths, this also means a rise in violence against people of colour and migrants.
How do we stand in solidarity with migrants?
When we stand together, we can make a difference. Already, migrant students spoke out and were able to force the Federal government to change course so that students who are in college programs and already in Canada will not be denied post-graduate work permits based on their field of study.
But this small victory is not enough. Many cuts and new immigration rules still threaten to make migrants more vulnerable at work and everywhere. Here are 4 things you can do to make a difference:
- Send an email to Prime Minister Trudeau, telling him to stand up to racism and support permanent residency and rights.
- Make a phone call to tell our leaders that regularization and status for all is the right way to go.
- If you are part of an organization, organize an event against racism and for migrant justice during November’s Week of Action Against Xenophobia and Racism.
- Learn more about what’s at stake at MigrantRights.ca and tell your friends and coworkers about it.
Migrants are an essential part of the movement for decent work. Permanent resident status for all is the only way to win equal rights for all workers in our communities. Let’s stay strong and united.