We're supposed to be grateful that we got a Liberal government instead of a Conservative one that would scapegoat immigrants. However, even under Trudeau, Liberals had subtly started to send the disgustingly popular message that Canada's social ills can be traced to our newcomer population, when in fact, in both housing and education (favourite victims of the blame immigrant narrative), the real villain is the federal government's funding cut backs.
And now Carney is blaming immigrants for health care too. Now he's claiming we can't afford to pay for health care for immigrants (as though we can afford to waste human potential by allowing folks to languish in untreated illness for lack of funds!)
So here's a letter to the PM and the immigration minister to protest the cuts to immigration. This time from MCC. Mine, of course, has my own flavour added.
I am writing to you to ask that you keep Canada as a country of welcome.
Stop blaming refugees for the societal problems that actually stem from your government's failures to allocate money toward needs.
Stop adding roadblocks for people seeking to migrate. Canada already has a disproportionate effect on global climate change. With Carney's latest moral abdication with the announcement we won't even try to meet our underwhelming and insufficient climate targets, our culpability increases. We have a responsibility to help the people whom we are displacing with our overconsumption. You don't want climate refugees on our doorstep? Stop expanding oil and gas exploitation now.
Year after year, thousands of people in every province and territory have built community and connection through the opportunity to sponsor and resettle refugees seeking safety in the promise of Canada. And thousands more have benefited from having these newcomers as friends, neighbours, classmates and colleagues.
According to the latest Ipsos poll of attitudes towards refugees, three-quarters of Canadians believe that people fleeing war and persecution should have an opportunity to take refuge in Canada. When they do, refugees gain a safe home, and we gain talented future Canadians dedicated to strengthening our communities, enriching our culture, creating jobs and building our economy.
As we increasingly see leaders at home and abroad blaming migrants and refugees for economic and social issues, I urge you to make decisions about immigration levels based on facts, not fear.
I am deeply alarmed by the 40% reduction in refugee resettlement over the past two years. Canada has historically been a leader in offering protection to refugees seeking safety. Indeed, other countries look to us for guidance on this. This is who we have been as a country, and who we want to continue to be.
I am asking you to take two concrete steps:
- Ensure Canada welcomes and resettles more, not fewer, refugees. Aim for a minimum of 27,000 privately sponsored refugee arrivals in 2027, in line with recent years before these cuts took effect.
- Restore Canada's standing as a top global resettlement country by honouring our commitments to UNHCR and reversing the trend of declining admissions.
And I would add a third demand: consult with human rights organizations on how to revamp the temporary foreign workers program which currently constitutes modern day slavery. This is not who Canadians want to be.
Canada is beautiful because we speak many languages, come from many places and across our differences, we look out for each other. We expect our leaders to carry on that legacy and make this a place where all families can thrive.
Because we know we are better and stronger together.
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