A little less than a hundred people gathered in Montreal on Saturday afternoon to denounce the delay in adopting a program to legalize undocumented immigrants in Canada.
Posted at 3:57 p.m.
The demonstrators braved the rain and gathered in front of the Lionel-Groulx metro station. “Legalization for everyone, no more deportations!” one of them chanted, signing in his hand.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The group present on Saturday afternoon calls for the establishment of an inclusive program aimed at the regularization of undocumented immigrants and the abolition of the closed work permit, i.e. tied to a single employer. Protesters are also calling on the government to end the expansion and detention of people without migration status.
“We want justice. We will move forward as long as there is no barrier-free and permanent regularization program,” assures Samira Jasmin from the organization Solidarité sans frontières.
Inflation, the housing crisis and fear of arrest and deportation are causing immense suffering for workers without status. In addition, women without status who face attacks and harassment are particularly at risk, adds Nina Gonzalez of the Center for Immigrant Workers.
“We need to take care of people without status so that they have access to permanent residence and public services,” added Mario Beauchemin, vice-president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec.
Two other similar meetings took place at the same time in Quebec and Rimouski.