Let’s Talk About Migrants in Canada
Canada's Dodgy Immigration System
Let's be honest, Canada's track record with immigration is rough. In the 19th and 20th centuries, immigration policies were notoriously discriminatory, and then got even worse by further discriminating against of people who weren’t white Europeans.
In 1967, Canada started using a points-based system to "rank" migrants based on "eligibility" criteria. This system was "nOT bAseD ON raCe oR NaTIOnALiTy" but work experience, education, etc. The system is supposed to be objective, but these criteria still covertly screw over marginalized folks. We invite you to check out our upcoming post on Canada's point system for more info.
Today, thousands of migrants settle through the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, Caregiver Program, or the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program. These programs often maintain systemic racism and modern-day slavery (odd that most of us are anti-slavery historically but not currently) by tying ones capacity to live and thrive in Canada to their employer/capacity to work. Many migrants also cannot maintain their status, leading to folks becoming "undocumented", losing any sorts of rights they might have had.
Migrants are Being Exploited
As a result of our shitty immigration system, migrants living in Canada face human rights violations and are intentionally silenced by our system. Similarly to how enslaved people were the backbone of the West's economy (and the reason why Western countries accumulated such wealth and are now high-income "developed" nations), migrants are the invisible backbone of Canada's economy today because capitalism relies upon exploitative labour (often race-based) to exist and thrive.
Because of restrictive immigration policies, some migrants aren't allowed to work to support themselves, are criminalized, are coerced into working for unliveable wages or take under-the-table jobs with dangerous conditions without the labour protections, healthcare access and any other social entitlements that go along with having permanent status in Canada.
Many migrants are also essential workers, who bore the burden of working during a deadly pandemic. Migrant workers - whether they are documented or undocumented - are so essential to both our economy and our country.
So, what can we do about this?
Migrants Deserve Status
The limited rights given to non-status and temporary migrants makes it difficult to navigate any of the safety, legal, and health issues that migrants come up against. They're intentionally treated like second-class people in a country that claims its a multicultural haven.
For many of us with the privilege of citizenship, especially those of us lucky enough to have been born in Canada, the immigration process feels so far removed from us. But immigration is an issue that needs to be close to our hearts. Immigrants are such a valuable part of our community - they bring vibrancy to this country, and they work overtime to do it.
A permanent residence status would help immigrants mitigate the harm many migrants face in Canada. For example, you are an agricultural migrant worker and your boss is sexually abusing you - what exactly are your options here if you can't quit your job without being deported? With status, folks would have greater access to employment insurance, pensions, healthcare, social services, legal rights and protections, and education. They wouldn't be forced to depend on a specific employer to maintain their right to live here. They'd be protected from workplace abuse and exploitation.
Definitions
In case you're unaware, a temporary resident is someone who is only allowed in Canada for a specified amount of time. They don't have health care coverage or any other benefits or protections, and they can't vote.
A migrant with permanent residency has permission to live in Canada and can fully access social benefits and healthcare, and must remain in Canada.
A citizen has the most rights and protections, with a passport, diplomatic support, and the ability to vote.
Undocumented migrants are folks living in or entering Canada without legal documentation. This includes folks who originally settled through temporary programs that have now expired.
Refugees are folks who are forced to leave their home country due to prosecution. Asylum Seekers are folks who have fled their home country and are asking for protection from another country.
*worth noting: imperialism and colonialism screwed over so many countries that people from the global majority often need to leave their homelands to get a chance at providing for their families.
What is 'Status for All'?
Status for All is about giving permanent residency status to temporary migrants, undocumented and documented migrants, international students, and refugees – and honey, we're here for it.
Status for All is what migrants want!
Migrant worker's rights groups have been organizing around a single demand for permanent residency status for migrants since 1968. This is what migrants still want today and HAVE wanted for literal decades.
Status for All ensures rights for ALL!
Migrants most often not given landing status are not so coincidentally racialized and low-income. COVID-19 rapidly exposed that migrants, especially undocumented folks, are among those most systemically vulnerable to harm & inequity. Ensuring status gives everyone living, working, and studying within these constructed borders the right to just live safer, healthier, and better lives.
What is Canada Doing?
About 10 months ago, Trudeau gave Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the go-ahead to move forward with a regularization program (which provides permanent residency status to all migrants in Canada).
It's worth noting that Canada has a long history of half-assed solutions. For example, we legalized gay marriage earlier than the USA, but we kept many of our homophobic policies - for example, conversion therapy was legal until recently, sex-ed curriculums change from inclusive to "traditional" depending on the government in charge, and a ban on donating blood if you're gay. Or how we have "universal" healthcare but mental health and pharmacare are not included in it.
So while Trudeau has committed to Status For All, it's unclear if it will truly be Status for All or just a select group of migrants that will be able to participate in the regularization program. Implementing this program comprehensively and providing permanent status to all migrants in Canada, regardless of skill level or type of migrant, could improve the lives of 1.7 million people who are currently living, working, studying (and paying taxes) in Canada. It could make a massive difference if our government doesn't half-ass it.
So what can we do about this?
You already know what we feel the answer should be - Status For All. Our reasoning is simple: human rights should be valued no matter what. If people are working, studying and living in Canada - which contributes to our economy and the vibrancy of our culture - we should value their human rights and freedoms.
And before you ask to speak to the manager, we should note that Status for All doesn't mean its open season to cross Canada's borders, it just means that everyone working, studying and living in Canada would have status - meaning their human rights can be upheld in a way that they currently are not.
Let’s make it happen Canada!
What can we do?
The time is NOW to take up action.
Your signature lets the federal government know that the regularization program should be launched as soon as possible. Demanding permanent residency for undocumented or temporary migrants will remind them that status rights are human rights!
Sign the petition (link in bio) https://migrantrights.ca/take-action/permanent-resident-status/Public Pressure for Policy Change
Write to your MP (oncanadaproject.ca/findyourrep) and ask that they advocate for STATUS FOR ALL.Tweet at
@JustinTrudeau @SeanFraserMP and ask that they prioritize human rights with #statusforall
