As federal immigration cuts roll out across the country, CUPE hosted an urgent conversation with municipal leaders about the important role immigrants and migrant workers play in our cities and towns.
The panel took place during the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in Edmonton.
The immigration cuts have restricted the number of temporary foreign workers, international students, and other immigrants who are allowed in the country.
These workers are vital to local economies and labour forces. Many work in sectors that municipalities rely on, like health care, child care, food production and the trades.
As a result of the government’s immigration cuts, municipalities are seeing increased costs, labour shortages, and immigrant communities are facing insecurity and fear.
“Our Burnaby School District has a Sanctuary Schools policy because cuts are impacting people and we have more people without status,” said panelist and Burnaby councillor Maita Santiago.
“We’re seeing effects on school enrollment, housing developments, labour force participation, local businesses and the capacity of community organizations to support vulnerable residents. Local Hospital Employees’ Union folks have members who are caught up in this and are scrambling,” said Santiago, noting that this affects services everyone in the community depends on.
“The Prairies have an incredible opportunity to grow by welcoming more people,” said panelist and Regina councillor Victoria Flores. “But now, because of the shifting resources for organizations that help new immigrants, municipalities are left to navigate the downstream impacts. There are a lot of hidden costs when you remove those community safety nets.”
Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise in Canada and around the world, as right-wing politicians attempt to find a scapegoat for local problems that are rooted in capitalism, exploitation, and privatization. But research shows immigrants to Canada strengthen local economies and our society as a whole.
“Blaming immigrants and temporary status workers for our problems is so dishonest,” said panelist Alphonse Ahola. Ahola is the Executive Director of Francophonie Canadienne Plurielle, an Alberta-based resettlement agency. “They know that without immigrants, Canada would not be able to operate for one day.”
“Immigration is part of our story as a country. It makes no sense for the federal government to be cutting immigration at a time when they claim to be nation-building,” said CUPE General Vice-President, the West (British Columbia, Alberta and the Territories) Karen Ranalletta. “We have a lot of work to do. We need to organize, we need to build solidarity, and for that we need all hands on deck.”
“Many of the folks losing their work permits and immigration status are our members. We’ll keep fighting for their rights and to end these backwards immigration policies,” said Ranalletta.
FCM represents the interests of municipalities across Canada. CUPE and FCM have a longstanding collaboration advocating for policies that support the health and resilience of communities where CUPE members live and work.
