Ummm, I'm so behind in the news itz not funny. But I just found out about this:
Lori Paris (CFRB News) - The Toronto Police Services board has voted unanimously in favour of new policies that mean Toronto police should ONLY ask immgration status if they have a bona fide reason for doing so.
The decision comes as a result of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" campaign that says immigrants are not coming to police if they have witnessed a crime, or been the victim of one, out of fear of deportation. CFRB's Lori Paris has more from the Police Services Board meeting in the Six O'clock newshour Indepth report.
The "Don't Ask Don't Tell" campaign attempts to encourage illegal immigrants in Toronto to come forward to police if they have information on a crime. The decision by the Police Services Board means that police will only ask about immigration status if it is crucial to the investigation. Andrea Gun-raj, of the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence against Women and Children says it's a first step - but it is not complete
The decision means Police Chief Bill Blair will now develop new policies, presenting them to the Police Services Board next year. Chief Blair says he has no problems with his officers not asking about status, but police have a duty to uphold the law, and if they discover a victim or witness is in the county illegally, they must report it.
Mayor David Miller says the unanimous decision means the board has decided to put safety first for EVERY Torontonian - whether they are here legally or not!
There are an estimated 80 thousand immigrants in the city without legal status, and many don't use services like hospitals or report crimes to police out of fear of being deported.