OCASI appeared before the Special Advisors to the Changing Workplaces Review (CWR) on June 16, 2015 to share recommendations on how the Employment Standards Act should be changed to better protect workers. The submission focused on growing precarious and low-wage work, and vulnerability of migrant workers and workers without immigration status.
Settling in a new country means finding a new home, literally. As they search for housing, Canadian immigrant and refugee women can face some of the biggest barriers. They often need expert advice that fits their complex needs, including their immigration status, housing affordability and eligibility requirements for specific housing programs.
Amendments to the Citizenship Act became law on June 19, 2014. The resulting changes were brought into effect at various points starting in June 2014, and continued to January 2015. The remaining changes will come into force on June 11, 2015.
The key changes coming into force on June 11, 2015:
May 14, 2015/Toronto – OCASI is delighted at the Monday, May 11, 2015 decision by North Bay City Council to support the right of permanent residents to vote in municipal and school board elections.
The successful vote is a strong expression of support for immigrant settlement and integration, and making local elections more inclusive and representative.
OCASI congratulates Don Curry of the North Bay and District Multicultural Centre and OCASI's Northern Regional Director for his determined and unwavering efforts over two years, resulting in the win at City Council.
OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas appeared as a witness before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to present on Bill S-7, Barbaric Cultural Practices Act on May 6, 2015. The Bill proposes new measures with respect to forced marriage and polygamy, including changes to immigration law.
OCASI Comments on Federal Budget 2015
Federal Budget 2015 tabled on April 21 in the House of Commons contains two measures targeted specifically to immigrants – Foreign Credential Recognition Loan project changes and Access to remittance services. Many of the new investments contained in the budget are delayed for implementation in 2017-18 and later.
OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas appeared as a witness before the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on 16 April 2015 to make a submission on Bill 49 - Ontario Immigration Act, 2015.
The OCASI submission makes several recommendations to strengthen the Bill, including: prioritize permanent immigration over temporary migration; expanding Provincial Nominee Program selection to include low-skilled workers; and strengthen protection of employment and labour protection for migrant workers.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration has recommended that the Government of Canada evaluate conditional permanent resident status (of sponsored spouses), and monitor the number and outcome of abuse exception requests, percentage of tips that result in removal, and incidence of reported abuse within these sponsorships.
OCASI was invited by the Task Force reviewing the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991) to participate in consultations on the Prevention of the Sexual Abuse of Patients.
The Task Force was appointed by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario), to begin its review in January 2015. Consultations began in late February 2015.
The OCASI presentation to the Task Force focused on the experience of immigrant and refugee women, and women without immigration status, and included the included the following recommendations:
The federal government is increasing citizenship processing fees by $230 for applications received after January 1, 2015 – an increase of more than 40%. The Right of Citizenship fee is to remain unchanged at $100.
With the increase, the new citizenship application fees will be a total of $630.
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