Toronto: Motion

Motion Dept: The adoption of this motion is not only a significant milestone for Toronto, but also a signal to Queen Park and Ottawa about achieving a society that takes seriously the values of equality and social justice, according to The Star. Residents without formal status are the most vulnerable group of all. This vulnerability often leads to deplorable situations: workers suffering abuse in the labour market; victims failing to report crimes to police for fear of deportation; parents frightened to register their children in recreational programs because they fear detention and city council last week adopted a motion reaffirming the city commitment to ensuring access to services without fear to immigrants without full status or without full status documents. This motion spearheaded by the Solidarity City Network, a coalition of diverse organizations such as Social Planning Toronto, Parkdale Community Legal Services and No One is Illegal and moved by Councillor Joe Mihevc effectively declares Toronto Canada first sanctuary city that appreciates and serves all residents, regardless of their immigration and citizenship status. My own research has shown that citizenship or lack thereof is an important distinguishing mechanism between people who are otherwise equal. While non-citizens who are legal immigrants can claim many of the rights that all Canadians possess, their status can be revoked. Temporary foreign workers are denied many basic rights, such as the right to freely choose occupation or employer, effectively bonding these workers to their employers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.