Integration and Settlement

Toronto / July 24, 2020

OCASI held a virtual discussion with Toronto member agencies on July 8, 2020 to prepare our submission to the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) public consultations.

June 25, 2020 / Toronto - OCASI called for regularization of immigration status for all in an appearance before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas appeared as a witness before the Committee on Monday June 22, 2020. In her testimony, she called for:

The Ontario government has developed a screening tool and other information and resources that can be used by community organizations to support communities in staying safe and healthy.

These resources are shared by Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

OCASI is concerned about ensuring all refugees, immigrants and migrants are included in provincial as well as federal and municipal government responses to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE PRESENT HEALTH EMERGENCY

A Free Public Forum

When: Wednesday April 1, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: 78 Queen's Park West, Toronto M5S 2C5
UofT Law, Jackman Building J140 (basement level)
(The law school is right in front of Museum Station – west side - southern exit, just south of the Royal Ontario Museum)

2020 Pre-Budget Submission by OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

To Ontario Ministry of Finance – 2020 Budget Consultations

February 11, 2020

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a. Newcomer Settlement Program and Language Training enable community-based organizations to deliver services to help newcomers become established more quickly. They are an important resource for the rural and northern immigration pilot program and expansion of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

Novel Coronavirus/CORVID-19

The novel coronavirus outbreak - now named as CORVID-19 - has us all worried for our own health and the health and safety of our loved ones.

Toronto / September 2019 - The rallying cry for Labour Day 2019 in Ontario was ‘Unite Against Racism’. The slogan and sentiment meant to acknowledge the troubling rise in white supremacy and xenophobia across the province and the country signaled a coming together of progressive forces to combat this scourge that has a material impact on the lives of Black, Indigenous and people of colour, including racialized (im)migrants and refugees.

Presentation by Debbie Douglas at the Cities and Migration plenary at the International Metropolis Conference 2019.

Gatineau, QC / June 28, 2019

Good morning. I would like to begin by acknowledging the privilege to speak here on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg.

On June 16, 2019 we read in the media that a majority of Canadians polled – approximately 63% - believed the federal government should limit the number of immigrants to the country. The poll was conducted by Leger between June 7 and 10.

OCASI sent a letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Justice Minister David Lametti asking for urgent federal government action to provide financial support for community legal clinics.

Community Legal Clinics (CLCs) are funded by Legal Aid Ontario. On June 12, 2019 Legal Aid Ontario announced funding cuts that will result in a decrease to the clinic system budget of approximately $15 million, or 16%. Among those most affected are certain specialized legal clinics and Toronto neighbourhood clinics - clinics that engage in test case and law reform work.

Yesterday (May 14th, 2019), the Senate of Canada passed Bill C-81- the proposed Accessible Canada Act on Third Reading. We commend the federal government for the progress that has been made with Bill C-81.