Day of Action in Quebec for the Regularisation of Undocumented Migrants

We are rallying to demand a truly inclusive regularization programme in Canada and Quebec.

There are huge number of people living in Canada who are undocumented; that is, without a valid permit to be in Canada. This number is increasing because the 1.2 million people who are here on work, study or refugee claimant permits for the most part have no opportunity to remain permanently in Canada. Consequently, because of the violent border system, many of them become undocumented.

Undocumented people, migrant workers and refugees are exploited in substandard working conditions, because regressive immigration and labour laws restrict their agency and leave them open to abuse. Lack of permanent resident status makes it difficult, and often impossible, for migrants to speak up for their rights or access services, including those they may be eligible for, because of a well-founded fear of reprisals, termination, eviction and deportation.

Migrants experience insecure housing, abuse at work, poverty and fear. The uncertainty about the future, constant stress of making ends meet, and the risk of detention and deportation negatively impacts their health.

We call on all workers, all migrants, all in Quebec who believe in dignity, equality and justice to support a comprehensive regularization program, which includes all undocumented migrants. Racist and xenophobic populism should have no place in Quebec and must not be allowed to prevent Quebec from supporting the regularization of ALL undocumented migrants. Together we have an historic opportunity to oppose systemic racism and uphold human dignity and equality. Let’s seize it.

Let’s mobilize for an inclusive, broad and permanent regularization program. Let’s put an end to discrimination!