Legislation & Public Policies

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.

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.

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.

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.

On October 21, 2019 Canada will hold a general election that will determine the next government of Canada.

A vibrant democracy must include all voices. If you can vote in these elections, vote! If you cannot vote, become involved by asking your candidates where they stand on the issues that matter most to you.

July 2019 / Toronto - This has been an interesting past few weeks with various polls being released gauging Canadians including immigrants (including refugees) beliefs, feelings and understanding of (im)migration, immigrants as people, ethno-racial make-up of immigration and  the changing face of Canada`s ethno-cultural/racial make-up.

A Call to End Genocide: OCASI Statement on Calls For Justice by the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

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.

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.