Legislation & Public Policies

In Search of Rainbows or Fix the Goddamn Systems Already!

May 2020 / Toronto - I have spent the last month or so looking for the ‘blessings’ or ‘silver linings’ of this pandemic as the Council and the Sector shift-shaped ourselves into this new normal - a term that is quickly becoming contested (What is normal? For whom? Who defines?) as progressives dream and plan and organize for a near future that will be responsive to those who are marginalized and made most vulnerable by our economic and social systems.

Media Release: Extend Government Benefits To All Residents

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2020/Toronto

COMMUNITY GROUPS CALL ON CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND EI BENEFITS AND CANADA CHILD BENEFITS TO ALL RESIDENTS OF CANADA

As organizations working with low income people of colour, immigrants, refugees and people with precarious status, we welcome the $82 Billion aid package announced by the Canadian Government to to help Canadians through COVID-19 crisis.

Healthcare For Precarious Immigrants

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March 16, 2020 / Toronto - OCASI wrote to Ontario Minister of Health -Christine Elliott, and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services - Todd Smith to ask the people with precarious immigration status are included in the Ontario government's actions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

OCASI specifically asked the Ministers to ensure that all Ontario residents have access to free, universal and expanded healthcare, including testing, without regard to immigration status or length of residence in Ontario.

The Basics of Canada Child Benefit (CCB) - A Webinar for Service Providers

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The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children. This benefit was introduced by the Federal government in 2016 to help low- and middle-income families with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. While the CCB is an important tool for poverty reduction, it excludes certain children based on immigration status of their parents.

Media Release: Legal Aid Cuts An Attack On Immigrants, Refugees, Racialized Communities

30% CUTS TO LEGAL AID ARE AN ATTACK ON RACIALIZED COMMUNITIES, IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

April 15, 2019 / Toronto, ON – The Colour of Poverty-Colour of Change (COP-COC) strongly denounces the Ontario Government’s decision to cut legal aid funding by $133 million, representing over 30% of the provincial contribution to the Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) budget.

Refugee changes in Budget Implementation Bill

OCASI wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau to express concerns about the refugee changes in the Budget Implementation Act, Bill C-97. -----

The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2

12 April 2019

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

Re: Refugee human rights and Budget Implementation Act, Bill C-97

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