It is with joy and a lot of hope that we, the signatory organizations, have learned that a program of mass regularization of people without immigration status is being developed.
We wish to stress the importance of an inclusive and comprehensive regularization program being adopted and implemented, both for reasons of fundamental human rights and respect for human dignity, and to enhance the economic, social, linguistic and cultural contribution of these people.
On humanitarian requirements and respect for human dignity
Our experience of several years of working with people with a precarious migratory status allows us to understand in what circumstances individuals lose their status and how much their living conditions then deteriorate, because these people find themselves in a situation of extreme vulnerability. .
People without status did not enter Canada with dishonest intentions. They came to Canada to have a decent life, after having fled persecution, the insecurity in which they lived or because of their financial precariousness.
They lost their status following a failed asylum application or because they were unable to renew their work or study permit.
Under these conditions, allowing them access to permanent residence is not a work of charity, it is a duty and a responsibility that our society must assume because of the commitments made in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. man. People without status and with precarious status see their rights constantly violated: their right to decent work (art. 23), their right to an adequate standard of living, to health and to education, in particular through access to public services (arts. 25 and 26), their right to justice (art. 8), their right to liberty and sometimes – as we have seen on several occasions during the pandemic – their right to life (art. 3).
On the contributions to Quebec society
In addition to human rights considerations and respect for international law, regularization is justified by the contribution of these people to our Quebec society. A large number of them continued to work during the period of confinement and most often on the front line. They then made up for the lack of manpower among the maintenance workers, the kitchen workers, the beneficiaries…among the handlers, the delivery men, etc.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thus highlighted the essential contribution of migrants and immigrants, including people without immigration status or with precarious status.
The higher COVID-19 infection rate observed among migrants and racialized people is therefore not a coincidence. In this sense, recognizing the contribution of migrants, in their diversity, also means combating the systemic discrimination suffered by racialized populations.
The majority of people without status and with precarious status have already accumulated years of work experience in Quebec, which cannot be overlooked – especially in times of labor shortage. They already contribute to our economy and they will continue to contribute under better conditions if their status is regularized. This is a situation where respect for human rights through regularization would further contribute to economic interests.
Linguistically and culturally, these people have already begun to adapt to the social life of Quebec and to learn our language, because they live here and have woven their social network there. Permanent resident status will enable them to broaden their social relations and thus demonstrate throughout Quebec the contribution made by immigrants.
For these reasons, we advocate for a truly inclusive regularization program, granting permanent residency. The program must start as soon as possible, in collaboration with civil society, in particular by integrating the voices of people without migratory status or with a precarious status.
These people cannot be left in a vulnerable and precarious situation any longer for administrative reasons. Each day that passes means, for people without status, another day lived in insecurity, fear and the risk of suffering abuses and violations of their rights.
These people live here, they have the right to dignity and they can contribute even more to our society with a stable and permanent status. Quebec is in a position to play an indispensable role as a land of welcome by declaring itself ready to receive them.
* Amnesty International French-speaking Canada; Association for the Rights of Domestic and Farm Workers (DTMF); Quebec Association of Immigration Lawyers (AQAADI); Central of Democratic Trade Unions (CSD); Justice and Faith Center (CJF); Clinic for Migrant Justice (CJM); Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN); Central Council of Metropolitan Montreal-CSN (CCMM-CSN); Migrant Council; Regional Council FTQ Metropolitan Montreal (CRFTQMM); Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ); Illusion Employment in Estrie; Quebec is us too (LQCNA); League for Rights and Freedoms (LDL); Migrant Quebec; PINAY; Assistance Network for Migrant Agricultural Workers of Quebec (RATTMAQ); Union of Public and Parapublic Service of Quebec (SFPQ); Table de concertation des organizations serving refugees and immigrants (TCRI)