The Conservative government has misled immigrant communities

The Conservative government has misled immigrant communities

Michael Levitt

NORTH YORK– “Stephen Harper ruined Canada’s live-in caregiver program. In doing so, he has betrayed the Filipino community of Canada,” said Michael Levitt, Liberal candidate for York Centre.  “While claiming to fix the program, Harper gave newcomers uncertainty: fewer jobs, no path to citizenship, and no reunification for their families.”

“Over the past 15 years, Canada’s live-in caregiver program has brought hard working Filipinos to Canada. Harper’s recent changes to the caregiver program have resulted in the rejection of 90% of applications for caregivers in 2015.”said Mr. Levitt. “As few as three applications are being accepted a month, instead of the over 1,000 that used be accepted.”

This shows how out of touch the Conservatives are with the Filipino community. Jason Kenney, the former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, himself said that the caregiver program “ran out of control.” Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party believe that foreign caregivers who come to Canada deserve our support. Those who come here to fill vital jobs and to serve our country’s most vulnerable citizens should have a clear path to citizenship.

“The Conservatives are quick to highlight the new ten-year visa, but they forget to say that it was the Conservative government that froze family-reunifications,” said Mr. Levitt. “That visa is not a replacement for family reunification, which a Liberal government will double. The Conservatives are misleading Canada’s immigrant communities for partisan gain.”

(PRESS RELEASE)