Today, the federal Liberals began their Cabinet retreat to finalize the COVID-19 recovery plan. Millions of people from all sectors across this country want our government to know what Canada needs right now: Nothing less than full, permanent immigration status for all migrant workers, students and undocumented people. Permanent resident status on arrival must be granted to all migrants in the future.
Read the letter that proves we’re not alone, and add your name!
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As one of over 280 organizations that make up the Migrant Rights Network, the Workers’ Action Centre and our membership is among the 8 million+ people calling for full and permanent immigration status for all! Our members and allies joined thousands of courageous migrants this year in rallying, petitioning, and calling our federal representatives to demand we finally bring in a fair, single-tier immigration system.
Lots of migrant workers call our workers’ rights hotline about lay-offs, reduced hours and pay, and safety violations, and too many have no access to income supports. Permanent resident status will empower all migrants to stand up to bad bosses, and give everyone access to crucial services such as healthcare. Especially during this pandemic where almost half of the people catching COVID-19 in Ontario are migrants who only make up 25% of the population [1], full status is a must!
More and more people see that it’s time to stand up for a just recovery and a fair society in which we all have equal rights. That vision won’t be possible without full and permanent immigration status for all.
The federal government is deciding our future today–don’t wait to add your voice! Please sign this letter now: www.StatusforAll.ca, and share it on facebook, twitter and instagram, using the hashtags #StatusforAll and #JustRecovery. Let Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh know that lengthy pathways to permanent residency, riddled with impossible requirements, are not enough! We need status for all immediately.
This Sunday, September 20th will be another chance to stand up for status for all. Several cities already have actions planned, including Montreal, Toronto and St. Catharines, and there will be many online events. If you’re in Toronto, join us on Sunday at Yonge-Dundas Square at 2 pm and wear all black! (Find an action near you or organize your own: www.MigrantRights.ca/Sep20.)
While we’re taking action, let’s take a few minutes to speak up for better income supports: 15andfairness.org/callnow. We won’t forget that everyone needs access to at least $500 per week, through Employment Insurance, Recovery Benefits or higher wages. Together, we can make sure no one is left behind!
[1] CBC News article: Immigrant, refugees nearly half of Ontario’s COVID-19 cases but only a quarter of the population: study