Shift in Canadian immigration will lead to US-style system – report

Shift in Canadian immigration will lead to US-style system – report

Dependent on Temporary Migrant Workers

No One is Illegal has just released a report showing that Canada is headed toward a US-style system dependent on temporary migrant workers that is both unfair and racist. The document prepared by independent researcher Salimah Valiani demonstrates that Canada’s re-shaped immigration system will not lead to building citizenship and labour supply in Canada.

The report, using Government of Canada data to estimate the retention rate of migrant workers under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP), shows that though Canada brought-in growing numbers of migrant live-in caregivers from 2003-2007, the likelihood of these workers attaining permanent resident status fell each year. The LCP is the longest standing immigration program offering the possibility of permanent residency to temporary migrant workers.

Despite Canada’s long-term needs to build citizenship and the labour force, government has moved to a system based on temporary migration instead of permanent residency for internationally-trained workers. “This is alarming for a population-hungry country built on a history of permanent residency and the promise of human rights for all,” states Valiani.

Given that recent changes to the Canadian immigration system are modeled on the LCP, No One is Illegal urges opposition parties to press for discussion of the report’s findings in parliament and across the country.

No One is Illegal is a grassroots anti-colonial immigrant and refugee rights collective. No One is Illegal campaigns to attain concrete victories for immigrants and refugees and to develop the communities’ own capacity to attain justice and dignity for themselves and their families.

Valiani will present her findings at No One is Illegal’s International Women’s Day event, March 8, 2pm, at Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane (wheelchair accessible and daycare available; contact noiiottawa@gmail.com)

(PRESS RELEASE)