Position Papers & Backgrounders

OCASI welcomes Bill 173 passing 2nd reading in the Ontario Legislature

Toronto / April 19, 2024 - OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants welcomes Bill 173: Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024 passing 2nd reading in the Ontario Legislature, and its’ referral to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. This brings us closer to having intimate partner violence declared an epidemic in Ontario.

OCASI Calls For A Comprehensive And Inclusive Status Regularization Program

Toronto / April 12, 2024

Dear Prime Minister and Minister Miller,

Re: Immigration Status Regularization - Permanent Residence For All

OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants calls on you to act urgently on your government’s longstanding, and often-repeated commitment to introduce an immigration status regularization program, that would allow those living precariously in Canada to become permanent residents.

OCASI Statement: Support Trans Rights & 2SLGBTQI+ Communities

Toronto / September 26, 2023 - OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants stands in unequivocal support of trans rights and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Everyone has the right to live authentically and express their feelings freely, without fear or prejudice. Anti-trans hate has no place anywhere.

We are deeply troubled by the recent rise in anti-trans hate speech and actions across Canada, the rise in misinformation and myths, and recent anti-trans protests.

OCASI Statement for International Women's Day 2023

March 8, 2023 / Toronto

On March 8, 2023 we are in solidarity with our sisters in Ontario, Canada, and around the world as we fight collectively for gender justice, racial justice and migrant justice.

It is now more than three years since the onset of the unprecedented global health, social and economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deeply-rooted inequalities in our society have taken a heavier toll on Indigenous, Black and racialized women; on refugees and migrants and women without immigration status. But it has cost us all.

Election 2022 - A Fair And Equitable Ontario

May 5, 2022 / Toronto — Thursday June 2, 2022 is election day in Ontario.

OCASI calls on the next government to commit to a fair and equitable Ontario for everyone, where refugees, immigrants and migrants can thrive.

This brief guide lists the main concerns for refugees, immigrants and migrants and proposes solutions. Between now and election day, ask candidates what they will do to support these solutions.

Are you on social media? Share our solutions or ask questions of candidates — #elxn2022.

End Anti-Black Racism

A solidarity statement by OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Toronto / June 2, 2020 – We are in solidarity with Black Communities in Canada and across North America amidst the pain and rage we feel at the taking of another Black life - again. We mourn Regis Korchiniski-Paquet who died last week in Toronto.

We mourn George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor – brutally killed in the United States, victims of anti-Black racism and White supremacy.

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