Ecumenical support for migrant rights and status for all
Four denominations involved in the global movement of Churches Witnessing with Migrants (CWWM) wrote to the Canadian government on September 8 in support of permanent residency for migrant workers and the regularization of undocumented migrants.
The heads of the Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the United Church of Canada addressed their letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).
In the letter the authors cite the Prime Minister’s mandate letter to the IRCC Minister to explore ways to regularize undocumented workers, as well as the parliamentary motion that directs the Minister to plan pathways to permanent residency for migrant workers.
“These measures are extremely important tools in pursuing justice for migrant workers in Canada and for ensuring the prosperity of this country in the future,” write the CWWM members.
The letter also acknowledges the work of civil society groups that support migrant workers, and the workers themselves.
“There are Canadian civil society groups, reports, and proposals to guide and inform the development of processes for regularization and pathways to permanent residency for migrant workers. We urge the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship to especially consider the expertise of civil society groups working with migrant workers and take into account the stories, experiences, and recommendations of all migrant workers in Canada.”
