CBSA confirms deportations remain suspended in Quebec
Montreal, 19 February 2021 — The City of Montreal will vote on Monday, 22 February on whether to support status for its undocumented residents. The non-partisan motion, introduced on 5 February, calls on Ottawa to regularize the status of all migrants in Canada.
Meanwhile, a CBSA representative confirmed in a meeting with NGOs on 17 February that the pandemic-related suspension of deportations remained in place in Quebec. In other parts of Canada, deportations resumed following an announcement on 30 November 2020.
“We call on all parties and independent city councillors to support this important motion, a position that we have fought for over 15 years and with increasing intensity since the beginning of the global pandemic. Globally, the pandemic has hit the most vulnerable populations the hardest. The situation is now urgent, particularly for undocumented migrants around the world. Montreal has an important role to play in lending its voice to the call for a comprehensive regularization programme, now echoed around the world.” said Khaled B,. a member of Solidarity Across Borders.
“For almost a year, deportations have been suspended in Quebec. Canada should make that policy permanent by creating an ongoing, inclusive regularization programme. For the 1 in 23 people in Canada without permanent status, and especially for the tens of thousands of undocumented migrants, the pandemic has been catastrophic. Ottawa and Quebec must wake up to this crisis and Montreal has an important role to play in making them do so.” said Andrea, another activist with Solidarity Across Borders.
“Although this motion will be an important step forward in recognizing the urgency of the crisis of undocumented Montrealers, the City of Montreal needs to stop passing the buck to Federal and provincial authorities. Valérie Plante’s administration adopted its access without fear policy in June 2019 but nothing at all has changed for undocumented people in Montreal. Montreal must take immediate steps to protect undocumented community members. These steps should include ending all SPVM collaboration with the CBSA; removing ID requirements from all city services; and making sincere attempts to truly address all exclusions faced by undocumented community members, which they are already well aware of.” said David, who is also involved in Solidarity Across Borders.
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Contact:
[email protected]
Source:
Solidarity Across Borders
www.solidarityacrossborders.org
Background:
Principles for Regularisation Programme
Regularisation des sans papiers au Canada (historique)
Migrant Rights Network
