Letter to the Editor: Ottawa to grant residency to 90,000 workers, students
Published in The Globe and Mail on April 19, 2021.
Re: Ottawa To Grant Residency To 90,000 Workers, Students
The federal government’s plan to grant permanent residency to more than 90,000 temporary foreign workers and graduated international students is long-awaited welcome news! This move will help safeguard the safety and security of these critical workers.
KAIROS strongly recommends that the government open applications for permanent residency to undocumented workers who have been left stranded often due to problems associated with the Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
We also urge the government to consult with community-rooted organizations that work directly with migrant workers to address challenges and barriers in the application process. In our experience, it takes time to meet the requirements, and short application deadlines add stress to essential workers.
While extending the deadline will alleviate pressure, removing it all together would empower workers who have long played a critical role in supporting Canada’s standard of living, building vibrant communities and filling labour market shortages, as Minister Mendicino attests.
Connie Sorio
KAIROS Migrant Justice Program Coordinator
