Six Canadian cities issue proclamations hailing migrants’ contributions
Six Canadian cities issue proclamations hailing migrants’ contributions
Barrie City Mayor Alex Nuttall (left) with Wilma Delo of Pilipinong Migrante sa Barrie
(Photo: Migrante Canada)
By Nestor Burgos
The Philippine Reporter
VANCOUVER—Six Canadian cities issued proclamations on International Migrants Day last month hailing the contribution of migrants amid the continued influx of newcomers in the country.
In similar but separate proclamations issued by the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, and Surrey in British Columbia; and Barrie City in Ontario, the municipal governments also called attention to the situation of migrants.
Burnaby City Mayor Mike Hurley (left) with Chris Sorio of Migrante BC and Councillor Maita Santiago at the city council meeting
(Photo: Migrante Canada)
Mayor Alex Nuttall of Barrie in Ontario issued the proclamation while in British Columbia, Mayors Ken Sim (Vancouver), Mike Hurley (Burnaby), Malcolm Brodie (Richmond), Patrick Johnstone (New Westminster), and Brenda Locke (Surrey) issued the proclamations.
This was the first time that Barrie issued a proclamation for International Migrants Day, according to the Filipino migrants group Migrante Canada.
The proclamations were prompted by Migrante to mark the 22nd anniversary of the United Nations Proclamation of International Migrants Day on December 18.
In his proclamation, Mayor Alex Nuttall of Barrie recognized the contribution of migrants “who are also essential workers to the economy of Barrie and Ontario.”
A migrant family calls for landed status at a rally during the commemoration of International
Migrants Day in Vancouver (Photo: Donna Clark)
Almost 60 percent of Burnaby’s population are immigrants, according to Hurley.
“It is important to recognize the contributions made by migrant workers and immigrants, who are essential workers to the economy of Burnaby and B.C., especially during the COVID-19 pandemic…,” he said.
“Almost 60 percent of Burnaby residents are immigrants and our city is among the most diverse in the country and as such is important to ensure we have a welcoming and safe environment for people of all cultural background and that they are able to access city services regardless of immigration status,” according to the proclamation.
Burnaby, British Columbia’s third most populous city next to Vancouver and Surrey, is also the seat of Metro Vancouver’s regional government.
Vancouver, BC’s biggest city, also recognized the migrant workers.
“This is also an opportunity to draw attention to the situation of migrant workers, including low-skilled temporary workers, caregivers, and the seasonal agricultural workers, especially to their precarious and vulnerable working and living conditions, their access to basic services and social entitlements,” according to Vancouver Mayor Sim.
Mayor Johnstone in his proclamation said the recognition of the migrant workers “also builds on the City of New Westminsters’ multicultural fabric and its commitment to a welcoming and safe environment to people of all cultural backgrounds by providing access to city services, including those with temporary status, uncertain status or no immigration status.”
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