Hundreds march downtown calling for end to racial discrimination in Canada's immigration system
Hundreds of people marched through downtown Toronto Sunday calling for an end to racial discrimination in Canada's immigration system.
The demonstration organized by The Migrant Rights Network gathered near Toronto's City Hall before taking their message to the streets, briefly blocking some downtown intersections.
The group called on the federal government to grant citizenship to an estimated 1.6 million migrant and undocumented workers in Canada.
Syed Hussan, executive director of the of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said migrant and undocumented workers are afraid to assert their rights and speak out about the exploitation they may face on the job.
"You can be made homeless because you live in employer-provided housing, you can be kicked out of the country, you're not allowed to get another job," Hussan said.
"To have a fair society, everyone must have equal rights. The only way to have equal rights, is if every resident in the country has the same citizenship rights and immigration status."
Tina Kusbiantoro came to Canada from Indonesia more than three years ago and says not being able to secure permanent residency has been challenging.
"We have no equal rights and then we're separated from our families a long time ... we cannot access the health care and we don't vote," Kusbiantoro said.
A woman who identified herself only as Jane tells CTV News Toronto she feels ignored and disappointed in the immigration system.
Jane has been working as a personal support worker since arriving from Uganda.
"We have been working hard through the pandemic to ensure that we give services to vulnerable people who cannot help themselves," Jane said.
"Being denied...it's a kind of racism. I feel so bad, I feel so betrayed."
Migrant rights activists were joined by a group from Community Solidarity Toronto, who rallied Sunday to take a stand against racism and what they see as the growth of Canada's far right.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.