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e-2600 (Citizenship and immigration)
- Keywords
- Asylum
- Caregivers and health care professionals
- COVID-19
- Immigration and immigrants
- Pandemic
Original language of petition: French
Petition to the Prime Minister
- The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation for all residents of Canada and requires a war-level effort to face down this merciless enemy;
- We are fighting to protect ourselves and, above all, the most vulnerable, namely, seniors, people with a chronic illness and less fortunate neighbourhoods;
- Despite the chronic insecurity of their precarious status in Canada, asylum seekers play a key role in essential services and, more specifically, in Quebec’s Long Term Care Homes (CHSLD) and seniors’ homes hit hard by COVID-19;
- In exceptional circumstances, these individuals are contributing their skills, dedication and dignity to help us fight this pandemic while risking their own health and that of their family; and
- Expelling these guardian angels from the country as soon as the battle is won would run counter to our values as Quebeckers and Canadians.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco Mendicino
The Government of Canada is aware of calls to provide a pathway to Permanent Residency for asylum claimants across the country who work in the health care sector in recognition of their exceptional service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Front-line healthcare workers play a critical role in keeping Canadians healthy. We are all deeply grateful for their dedication, commitment and bravery.
We recognize that this is a unique situation and are currently examining how we can recognize those who are working hard on the front-lines to keep Canadians safe and healthy.
Asylum claimants in Canada continue to have access to the Interim Federal Health Program and temporary work permits. In addition they have access to interim housing, social assistance, education and legal aid through the provincial and territorial governments.
June 17, 2020 (Petition No. 431-00276)
