Migrant Justice
Letter to the Editor: If Canada is serious about ending systemic racism, take a hard look at temporary foreign worker program
November 4, 2020
Written by Connie Sorio, Migrant Justice Program Coordinator at KAIROS. Originally published in The Hill Times on November 4, 2020.
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Just transformation needed now: KAIROS responds to the 2020 Speech from the Throne
September 30, 2020
The Government of Canada addressed the pandemic – “our generation’s crossroad” – and how it plans to “build back better” in the much-anticipated Speech from the Throne on September 23. The speech touched on racism, gender and income inequality, the environmental crisis, dislocation, and the struggles facing Indigenous and global communities. While the government addressed each issue separately, they intersect and are amplified by a pandemic that exacerbates human…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Migrant Justice
KAIROS joins #StatusforAll and Landed Status Now campaign
June 16, 2020
KAIROS joins the Migrant Rights Network in calling on the federal government to provide Status for All and Landed Status Now. COVID-19 has exposed deep inequities, including those faced by foreign migrant workers who are needed in Canada to care…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
June 16 webinar: COVID-19, migrant & undocumented workers
June 5, 2020
Previous webinar recordings are now available. How is COVID-19 impacting foreign migrant workers in Canada? KAIROS’ Migrant Justice Coordinator, Connie Sorio, presents updates from some of Canada’s leading migrant justice advocates in a series of webinars. Join us for the…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
More action needed to keep migrant workers safe, advocate says after cluster of Manitoba COVID-19 cases
June 5, 2020
Diwa Marcelino, an organizer with Migrante Manitoba and KAIROS Steering Committee Member, says the province must step up inspections to protect temporary foreign workers in the province. (Photo: John Einarson/CBC)Take Action! Please write to your Member of Parliament and urge the government to give all migrants in…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
From disposable to indispensable: providing foreign migrant workers with a pathway to permanent residency
May 11, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic reveals how foreign migrant workers contribute to Canada’s economy and society by doing the jobs that too few Canadians want. Their work ensures that our food industry thrives, that young, elderly, and at-risk Canadians receive proper care,…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Op Eds & Rabble
Urge Canada to protect all migrant workers with residency status now!
May 5, 2020
With COVID-19 exposing and enhancing the vulnerability of migrant workers, your help is needed now more than ever. Migrant workers deserve our deepest respect for the work they do. They have a right to be safe and secure both in their workplaces and at home. They…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Letter to the Editor: Granting residency to migrant workers would demonstrate genuine appreciation for their services
May 4, 2020
Re: Alberta Cargill’s Alberta beef plant to reopen next week after COVID-19 outbreak forced closure (April 30): The COVID-19 outbreak at two beef-processing plants in southern Alberta highlights vulnerabilities faced by foreign migrant workers in Canada. It also reveals how much…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Migrant workers are not to blame for outbreak in meat-packing plants
April 30, 2020
KAIROS offers thoughts and prayers to the families of the meat-packing plant workers who recently succumbed to COVID-19, and extends solidarity and support to the temporary foreign workers and immigrants facing discrimination and being blamed for the coronavirus outbreaks at the Cargill and JBS meat-packing plants in Alberta. …
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Letter to federal ministers with direct oversight of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
April 20, 2020
In its letter to those federal ministers with direct oversight of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, KAIROS expresses appreciation for the government’s inclusive and positive response to calls for assistance from temporary foreign workers, especially seasonal agricultural workers, and emphasizes…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Advocates urge protection for migrant workers travelling to Canada amid COVID-19 restrictions
March 25, 2020
Migrant worker advocates want the federal government to improve protections for foreign labourers travelling to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comments come as the federal government reassured farmers that, despite new travel restrictions, foreign workers will be allowed into Canada…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Know Your Rights and Be Bold: A workshop for migrant workers
November 28, 2019
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Federal Court of Canada to hear challenge to designation of the U.S. as a safe third country for refugees
October 29, 2019
KAIROS supports the legal challenge against the flawed Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States of America, and would like to call its members, migrant and refugee rights’ advocates to join the rally on November 4th at 12:30 pm…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Priorities for Canada’s 43rd Parliament
October 25, 2019
Canadians have elected a minority government. Collaboration is critical for the survival of Canada’s 43rd Parliament and is urgently needed to appropriately address mounting and systemic issues. Indigenous rights and wellbeing, the climate crisis, migrant justice, and support and protection…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Migrant Justice
Forced displacement in the Philippines by climate change and greed – again
September 22, 2019
I joined more than 60 delegates from approximately 24 countries in a visit to three communities in the Greater Manila Area that are impacted by poverty, displacement and climate change. The visit was part of the Beyond Labels, Beyond Borders…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Migrant Justice
NEW VIDEO: KAIROS Prezi on Temporary Foreign Workers (9:03 min)
July 19, 2019
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
America is a mass grave
June 25, 2019
An ensemble of living and non-living beings is calling an alarm: América es una fosa común. America is a mass grave. According to the Government of Mexico, at least 200,000 people have been murdered and 40,000 people have been disappeared since 2006…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Migrant Justice
KAIROS celebrates new Caregiver Pilot Programs and extension of the Interim Pathway
June 19, 2019
KAIROS Canada applauds the Government of Canada for delivering on its promise of improving the lives and working conditions of migrant caregivers. At a press conference on June 15, the Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada unrolled two new…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
KAIROS’ migrant justice workshop at the 2019 Cahoots Festival
June 14, 2019
An excerpt from “Justice and solidarity at the Cahoots Festival: Annual gathering equips Christians to live out Social Gospel” published in the Anglican Journal. The second full day of Cahoots began once more with morning worship. A period of prayerful contemplation encouraged participants to look back on the…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Chat with Activists: Hannah Gehrels on shaping change for the better
April 1, 2019
Originally from Thunder Bay, Hannah Gehrels makes Charlottetown her home. Hannah has a Masters in Biology from the University of Prince Edward Island, and currently runs an outdoor program for kids called Wild Child Forest School Program through the Sierra…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Regional News
Political Blind Date: the Promise of Multiculturalism
March 18, 2019
Connie Sorio, Migrant Justice Coordinator at KAIROS, served as an expert on migrant justice in a recent appearance on TVO’s Political Blind Date with MPs Jenny Kwan and Gary Anandasangaree. KAIROS has worked closely with migrant workers on issues such as family reunification, permanent…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Bathurst United United on helping foreign migrant workers
March 13, 2019
For Reg McQuaid and his fellow congregants at Bathurst United Church, Toronto, support for foreign migrant workers is personal. Migrant workers at fastfood outlets serve him coffee, and he buys produce grown by migrant workers at the food co-op where…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Spirited Reflection: Transfiguration Sunday—From the Mountain to the Streets
March 1, 2019
From Luke 9:28-36 When Jesus took Peter, John and James up onto the mountain to pray, Jesus’ face and clothes became dazzling and bright. Then Moses and Elijah also appeared with Jesus, also in glorious splendor. When these Disciples witnessed…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections
Canada’s announced pathway to permanent residency is good news for migrant caregivers
February 28, 2019
KAIROS is greatly encouraged by the recent announcement that in November the Government of Canada will replace its problematic Caregiver Pilot Program with two 5-year pilot programs that will provide migrant caregivers with a pathway to permanent residence and the…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
Spirited Reflection: Finding safety and justice for migrant workers
February 20, 2019
Epiphany continues February 24 with KAIROS reflections in Light of a Star (digital) (print), the Epiphany Resource. Heide and Richard’s Story Two workers at a McDonald’s in Fernie, B.C. ‒ Heide and her boyfriend, Richard ‒ alleged that the owner,…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Acting for our neighbours
January 31, 2019
Epiphany continues January 27 with KAIROS reflections based on Light of a Star (digital) (print), the KAIROS Epiphany Resource. Scripture Commentary – Jeremiah 1:4-10 Prophets have a difficult job. They must speak the words that God gives them to speak, even though…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: It comes down to status
January 24, 2019
Epiphany continues January 27 with KAIROS reflections based on Light of a Star (digital) (print), the KAIROS Epiphany Resource. TERESA’S STORY: Teresa (not her real name) is a single mom from Baja California, Mexico. Since 2012, she has been supporting her parents…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Employers as allies with their workers
January 18, 2019
Epiphany continues January 20 with KAIROS reflections based on Light of a Star (digital) (print), the Epiphany Resource. RYAN’S STORY: Ryan was desperate when he lost his job as a restaurant cleaner amid Alberta’s economic recession and faced possible removal to…
Post filed in: Migrant Justice, Spirited Reflections
