Position Papers & Backgrounders

Toronto / May 14, 2024 - OCASI calls on the government of Canada and the Ontario government to ensure equity and fairness for international students and their families.

OCASI CALLS ON THE SPEAKER OF THE ONTARIO LEGISLATURE TO LIFT HIS BAN ON KEFFIYEHS IN THE CHAMBER

Toronto / May 6, 2024 - OCASI stands in solidarity with civil society organizations and leaders of all political parties in the Ontario Legislature including the Premier of Ontario by calling on the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reverse his decision to ban wearing Keffiyehs inside the Parliament’s Chamber.

Toronto / April 19, 2024 - OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants welcomes Bill 173: Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024 passing 2nd reading in the Ontario Legislature, and its’ referral to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. This brings us closer to having intimate partner violence declared an epidemic in Ontario.

Toronto / April 12, 2024

Dear Prime Minister and Minister Miller,

Re: Immigration Status Regularization - Permanent Residence For All

OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants calls on you to act urgently on your government’s longstanding, and often-repeated commitment to introduce an immigration status regularization program, that would allow those living precariously in Canada to become permanent residents.

OCASI Statement

Toronto / December 19, 2023

OCASI welcomes the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), Minister Marc Miller’s statement last week to The Globe and Mail that he plans in the spring to present to cabinet a proposal for a “broad and comprehensive program” for immigration status regularization.

Toronto / September 26, 2023 - OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants stands in unequivocal support of trans rights and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Everyone has the right to live authentically and express their feelings freely, without fear or prejudice. Anti-trans hate has no place anywhere.

We are deeply troubled by the recent rise in anti-trans hate speech and actions across Canada, the rise in misinformation and myths, and recent anti-trans protests.

March 8, 2023 / Toronto

On March 8, 2023 we are in solidarity with our sisters in Ontario, Canada, and around the world as we fight collectively for gender justice, racial justice and migrant justice.

It is now more than three years since the onset of the unprecedented global health, social and economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deeply-rooted inequalities in our society have taken a heavier toll on Indigenous, Black and racialized women; on refugees and migrants and women without immigration status. But it has cost us all.

May 5, 2022 / Toronto — Thursday June 2, 2022 is election day in Ontario.

OCASI calls on the next government to commit to a fair and equitable Ontario for everyone, where refugees, immigrants and migrants can thrive.

This brief guide lists the main concerns for refugees, immigrants and migrants and proposes solutions. Between now and election day, ask candidates what they will do to support these solutions.

Toronto / April 21, 2021

The 2021 federal Budget tabled on April 19, 2021, recognizes that immigration is vital to Canada’s economic growth and looks ahead to prepare for an anticipated increase in post-pandemic immigrant arrivals.

Toronto / April 16, 2021

On April 14, 2021 Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino announced a temporary public policy that would provide new pathways to permanent residency for essential workers and international graduates.