Fix Canada's Immigration System

Immigrant groups, unions, employers and supporters set to rally in Toronto on April 22nd

Toronto, April 6, 2006 - Reforming Canada's immigration system and stemming the deportations must be a priority for the new Parliament, say organizers of a mass march to take place in Toronto on April 22nd. The coalition of immigrant groups, labour and business is calling on the federal government to join with the opposition parties to implement a regularization program for undocumented workers.

“Canada is deporting hard-working skilled workers and their families at a time when their skills are needed. Employers plead with the government for more reasonable alternatives to deportations, but our immigration system does not respond to the labour market's needs nor to the pleads of entire families who have become an integral part of our communities and are being uprooted. We believe it’s time for concrete solutions that can put our economic and humanitarian priorities on solid footing ", said Vilma Filici, president of the Canadian Hispanic Congress.

The march will begin at Queen's Park at 11 am on Saturday April 22, and will make its way to City Hall (100 Queen Street West) for a rally at noon. Speakers will include political leaders, representatives from immigrant communities, labour and business.

“There's an unprecedented agreement among employers, unions and community groups about how we can move forward with a concrete proposal that all Canadians can be proud of. And there is an emerging consensus among all Parties in Parliament about the need for a positive resolution to this issue. This problem is not new but the reality is that this Parliament can fix it," said John Cartwright, President of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council.

Silvio De Gasperis, a prominent GTA developer has condemned the federal government for wanting to toss "honest, hard-working" non status immigrants from Portugal and other countries out of Canada. "There is definitely a shortage of workers in the construction industry right now, and it doesn't matter — from road building to plumber to bricklayers — there is a shortage,"

Immigrant groups, employers and trade unions are united in calling for an immediate moratorium on deportations and a made-in-Canada worker permit system that balances Canada’s economic needs with Canadian values. This proposal for regularization outlines a plan whereby those who have been working in Canada would receive a temporary resident permit and a work permit that would allow them to stay in Canada and pending a solid work record and no criminality apply for landed status.

In the last election we heard that it is time to stand up for Canada. Our immigrant communities couldn't agree more. Everyday immigrants stand up for Canada's economy on construction sites, kitchens, hotels, and in small business. We stand up for fundamental Canadian values through our hard-work, mutual respect and involvement in building stronger communities.

This rally is being organized by the Canadian Hispanic Congress and the Coalition for the Dignity of Undocumented Workers.

For more information contact:

Vilma C. Filici

President of CHC

Phone 416-447-7264



-- Edited by MarceloAddax at 15:13, 2006-04-20