Open Letters

English version

Utilisez les talents formés à l’étranger pour des collectivités en santé

13 septembre 2021

La version française

Utilizing internationally trained talent for healthy communities

13 September 2021

We the under-signed civil society organizations and groups call on federal party leaders to address long-standing licensure and employment barriers facing internationally educated health professionals as your commitment to Canadians in the 2021 federal election.

 As you are aware Canada’s healthcare system is facing a multifaceted crisis.

May 5, 2021 / Toronto - COVID infection rates are on the rise, particularly the more infectious variants. Study after study has shown that women and the working poor – particularly racialized and im/migrant workers are disproportionately impacted. OCASI calls on the government of Ontario to give workers at least two week of permanent, paid sick days.

OCASI has asked Ontario to provide a written directive that confirms COVID-19 vaccines will be proivded to everyone in Ontario regardless of immigration status.

Read below for OCASI's letter to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services (responsible for immigration and citizenship).

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Hon. Christine Elliott
Minister of Health
College Park 5th Flr, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
christine.elliott@ontario.ca

Statement on Ontario Provincial Police decision to not lay charges in the death of Soleiman Faqiri
Statement By:
THE BLACK LEGAL ACTION CENTRE (BLAC)
THE SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF ONTARIO (SALCO)
THE CHINESE AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC (CSALC)
THE ONTARIO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS (OCASI)
THE URBAN ALLIANCE ON RACE RELATIONS (UARR)
THE COLOUR OF POVERTY-COLOUR OF CHANGE (COP-COC)

August 10, 2020

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.

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

On behalf of the Board of Directors of OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, it is our pleasure to congratulate you on your appointment as Minister of Status of Women.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, it is our pleasure to congratulate you on your appointment as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.