Toronto March Precedes Parliament Return on Immigration

Migrants, refugees, and supporters marched through Toronto’s west end on Sunday, the day before the Canadian Parliament resumes its session. The demonstration called on the federal government to grant permanent residency status to all individuals, halt deportation processes, and address workplace exploitation. According to organizers, the march is part of a coordinated effort taking place in cities across the country.

Organizers reject political scapegoating

Sarom Rho, coordinator of the Migrant Workers' Alliance for Change, stated that migrants are being unfairly blamed for economic challenges they did not create. She noted that while rents remain high and affordability is a crisis for many, immigrants continue to provide essential services such as food production and elder care. Rho emphasized that the group aims to reject narratives that frame migrants as scapegoats and instead advocate for equal rights for all residents.

Students face uncertain residency paths

Bikramjit Singh, an international student who moved to Canada from India in 2019, shared his experience of navigating the current immigration landscape. He explained that without permanent status, workers are vulnerable to exploitation because they must often work for cash to survive. Singh is currently on a closed work permit, which restricts him to a specific employer, leaving him with no clear path to permanent residence and causing significant stress about his future in Canada.

Policy shifts impact population targets

The rally occurs nearly a year after the Liberal government introduced Bill C-12, which seeks to tighten the immigration and refugee system, and more than two years after the implementation of an international student cap. Preliminary estimates from Statistics Canada suggest that Ontario alone may lose more than a third of its international student population this year. In response to these changes, the federal government has outlined plans to reduce permanent resident targets to achieve sustainable growth, a move Prime Minister Mark Carney described as bringing immigration under control.

Ethel Tungohan, a Canada Research Chair in Canadian Migration Policy at York University, noted that tightened measures have contributed to increased xenophobia and racism. She highlighted that while Canada often projects an image of inclusivity, its history includes the exclusion of racialized immigrant groups. Tungohan emphasized that many migrants perform jobs that Canadian citizens may not seek, a reality reflected in the Labour Market Impact Assessment process. According to reports from Yahoo News Canada, the federal government has reached out for comment on these ongoing developments.