Protesters in Montreal pressure Ottawa to regularize migrant workers' status
Solidarity Across Borders is seeking regularization for all undocumented migrants
Frédéric Lacroix-Couture · The Canadian Press ·
Posted: Jul 18, 2021
People take part in a 'Status for All' demonstration in Montreal, Sunday, July 18, 2021. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
At least 100 people protested in downtown Montreal Sunday morning, calling on the federal government to put a comprehensive and continuous regularization program in place for refugees and migrants, who are the subject of "neglect" by the immigration system.
The event marked the launch of a week of demonstrations in Montreal and Ottawa, led by Solidarity Across Borders, to obtain better treatment for thousands of undocumented migrants.
Last year, Ottawa announced a regularization program for asylum seekers who worked in health care during the pandemic. Solidarity Across Borders maintains that this program, which is already full in terms of demands, excludes the majority of migrants, even those considered essential workers.
"We want full regularization for everyone, without exception because everyone is essential, whether it's people who have worked in the health sector or people in grocery stores, butcher shops or recycling pickup. They worked three times as hard, but they aren't paid as well," Mohamed Barry, a representative of Guinéens unis pour un statut, who obtained his permanent residence last year, after eight years "of fighting."
At least 100 people protested in downtown Montreal Sunday morning, calling on the federal government to put a comprehensive and continuous regularization program in place for refugees and migrants, who are the subject of "neglect" by the immigration system.
The event marked the launch of a week of demonstrations in Montreal and Ottawa, led by Solidarity Across Borders, to obtain better treatment for thousands of undocumented migrants.
Last year, Ottawa announced a regularization program for asylum seekers who worked in health care during the pandemic. Solidarity Across Borders maintains that this program, which is already full in terms of demands, excludes the majority of migrants, even those considered essential workers.
"We want full regularization for everyone, without exception because everyone is essential, whether it's people who have worked in the health sector or people in grocery stores, butcher shops or recycling pickup. They worked three times as hard, but they aren't paid as well," Mohamed Barry, a representative of Guinéens unis pour un statut, who obtained his permanent residence last year, after eight years "of fighting."
The event marked the launch of a week of demonstrations in Montreal and Ottawa, led by Solidarity Across Borders, to obtain better treatment for thousands of undocumented migrants. (The Canadian Press)
Solidarity Across Borders says many find it difficult to pay rent and food, and others are forced to take "dangerous and poorly paid jobs." During the pandemic, "the undocumented migrants endured enormous difficulties."
"Because of our situation, we don't have access to health care, social assistance, or legal work. It's still the most important thing for a human being here, right?" said Samira Jasmin, a spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders, who has been trying to regularize her status since arriving from Algeria eight years ago.
Symbolic humanitarian request
Next Sunday, activists and undocumented migrants from Quebec plan to meet in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office in Ottawa to present a symbolic humanitarian request for all people with precarious status in the country.
The Migrant Rights Network, a Canadian anti-racist, migrant justice alliance, recently revealed that the rate of rejection of permanent residence applications in Canada on humanitarian grounds has doubled since 2019.
"For those without status, the only way out is humanitarian demand," Jasmin said.
"It also expresses a little the despair of these people because they seek by all legal means to be able to have a normal life", added Adboul Kan of Solidarity Across Borders.
The MRN found that 70 per cent of applications were rejected from January to March 2021 compared to 35 per cent in 2019.
Solidarity Across Borders says many find it difficult to pay rent and food, and others are forced to take "dangerous and poorly paid jobs." During the pandemic, "the undocumented migrants endured enormous difficulties."
"Because of our situation, we don't have access to health care, social assistance, or legal work. It's still the most important thing for a human being here, right?" said Samira Jasmin, a spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders, who has been trying to regularize her status since arriving from Algeria eight years ago.
Symbolic humanitarian request
Next Sunday, activists and undocumented migrants from Quebec plan to meet in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office in Ottawa to present a symbolic humanitarian request for all people with precarious status in the country.
The Migrant Rights Network, a Canadian anti-racist, migrant justice alliance, recently revealed that the rate of rejection of permanent residence applications in Canada on humanitarian grounds has doubled since 2019.
"For those without status, the only way out is humanitarian demand," Jasmin said.
"It also expresses a little the despair of these people because they seek by all legal means to be able to have a normal life", added Adboul Kan of Solidarity Across Borders.
The MRN found that 70 per cent of applications were rejected from January to March 2021 compared to 35 per cent in 2019.
Downtown Montreal rally seeks 'status for all' undocumented migrants
“We’re facing a steamroller that has no feelings for migrants, or for human beings in general."
Author of the article: Frédéric Tomesco
Publishing date: Jul 18, 2021 •
Montrealers took to the streets in Montreal on Sunday July 18, 2021 in support of "Status for All", a call for permanent residency for temporary migrant workers and their families who live in Canada. PHOTO BY DAVE SIDAWAY /Montreal Gazette
Article content
A group representing undocumented migrants is stepping up the pressure on Ottawa to legalize their status ahead of a possible federal election this fall.
About 100 people gathered in downtown Montreal on Sunday morning to listen to speeches, march through the streets and demand “status for all” from the federal government as part of a rally organized by Solidarity Across Borders. Along the way, the demonstrators walked by a Dollarama store and the building that houses Premier François Legault’s Montreal office.
Canada’s federal government recently ended a limited-time permanent residency program for migrants after 10 weeks, leaving thousands of people in limbo. Many of those interviewed Sunday called on Ottawa to reinstate the program and to broaden it beyond its focus on essential workers.
“We’re facing a steamroller that has no feelings for migrants, or for human beings in general,” Hady Anne Kodoye, who immigrated from Mauritania three years ago and is still waiting for his status to be legalized, said in an interview. “The pandemic has put a lot of migrants like me deep into precariousness.”
Sunday’s gathering is part of a “week of action” that will include demonstrations, leaflet distribution, a community supper and a friendly soccer game. A march to Ottawa next weekend will cap the proceedings.
Article content
A group representing undocumented migrants is stepping up the pressure on Ottawa to legalize their status ahead of a possible federal election this fall.
About 100 people gathered in downtown Montreal on Sunday morning to listen to speeches, march through the streets and demand “status for all” from the federal government as part of a rally organized by Solidarity Across Borders. Along the way, the demonstrators walked by a Dollarama store and the building that houses Premier François Legault’s Montreal office.
Canada’s federal government recently ended a limited-time permanent residency program for migrants after 10 weeks, leaving thousands of people in limbo. Many of those interviewed Sunday called on Ottawa to reinstate the program and to broaden it beyond its focus on essential workers.
“We’re facing a steamroller that has no feelings for migrants, or for human beings in general,” Hady Anne Kodoye, who immigrated from Mauritania three years ago and is still waiting for his status to be legalized, said in an interview. “The pandemic has put a lot of migrants like me deep into precariousness.”
Sunday’s gathering is part of a “week of action” that will include demonstrations, leaflet distribution, a community supper and a friendly soccer game. A march to Ottawa next weekend will cap the proceedings.
Montrealers in support of “Status for All” say all migrant workers who put their lives at risk working during the pandemic — not just those deemed essential by the government — should get permanent residency. PHOTO BY DAVE SIDAWAY /Montreal Gazette
New figures released last week by the Migrant Rights Network, a Canadian anti-racism alliance, suggest rejection rates of applications for permanent residence on humanitarian grounds have doubled since the start of the pandemic after Canada closed its borders. About 70 per cent of undocumented migrants had their application for permanent residence turned down in the first quarter of 2021, up from 35 per cent in 2019.
“We want an inclusive program for all migrants,” said Abdoul Kane, a Senegal native who is in the process of applying for permanent residence. “We don’t want a program that calls some people essential and others no. We’re all essential.”
Prominent Canadians such as former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour have called on the federal government to legalize undocumented migrants, who play a key role in powering the black-market economy and aren’t included in official statistics.
“I just want Ottawa to show proof of humanity,” said Mohamed Barry, who moved here from Guinea eight years ago and became a permanent resident last year. Undocumented migrants “are here, they are contributing to the well-being of this society. They should be regularized. They shouldn’t be left behind.”
Health care, food distribution, meatpacking and recycling are all industries that employ undocumented workers, according to Barry. Many of those migrants — who have no access to free health care — had to put themselves in danger by working in close proximity to other employees during the initial waves of the pandemic.
“There was a high risk of getting the virus,” said Barry, who worked in a warehouse last year and experienced firsthand the conditions he’s now denouncing. “The measures were not really respected well. There were no masks. We had to work below freezing, sometimes outside, which was really hard.”
Also attending Sunday’s march was Quebec writer Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny, who drove in from Val-David to show her support.
“I’m a ‘pure laine’ Quebecer, and it’s not true that we are going to let people who helped us get kicked out of the country,” she said in an interview. “We’re not like that. Over the years we’ve welcomed Haitians, Vietnamese, and we’re going to do the same thing now. Many of these recent migrants are the ones who washed our parents and our grandparents. We cannot forget that.”
New figures released last week by the Migrant Rights Network, a Canadian anti-racism alliance, suggest rejection rates of applications for permanent residence on humanitarian grounds have doubled since the start of the pandemic after Canada closed its borders. About 70 per cent of undocumented migrants had their application for permanent residence turned down in the first quarter of 2021, up from 35 per cent in 2019.
“We want an inclusive program for all migrants,” said Abdoul Kane, a Senegal native who is in the process of applying for permanent residence. “We don’t want a program that calls some people essential and others no. We’re all essential.”
Prominent Canadians such as former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour have called on the federal government to legalize undocumented migrants, who play a key role in powering the black-market economy and aren’t included in official statistics.
“I just want Ottawa to show proof of humanity,” said Mohamed Barry, who moved here from Guinea eight years ago and became a permanent resident last year. Undocumented migrants “are here, they are contributing to the well-being of this society. They should be regularized. They shouldn’t be left behind.”
Health care, food distribution, meatpacking and recycling are all industries that employ undocumented workers, according to Barry. Many of those migrants — who have no access to free health care — had to put themselves in danger by working in close proximity to other employees during the initial waves of the pandemic.
“There was a high risk of getting the virus,” said Barry, who worked in a warehouse last year and experienced firsthand the conditions he’s now denouncing. “The measures were not really respected well. There were no masks. We had to work below freezing, sometimes outside, which was really hard.”
Also attending Sunday’s march was Quebec writer Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny, who drove in from Val-David to show her support.
“I’m a ‘pure laine’ Quebecer, and it’s not true that we are going to let people who helped us get kicked out of the country,” she said in an interview. “We’re not like that. Over the years we’ve welcomed Haitians, Vietnamese, and we’re going to do the same thing now. Many of these recent migrants are the ones who washed our parents and our grandparents. We cannot forget that.”
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