*Note: This post was originally drafted by the Migrant Rights Network and was posted with permission and with minor edits for length
Parliament returns next week! This is why on September 12-15, we are taking action in Charlottetown, Edmonton, Moncton, Niagara, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sudbury, Toronto and Vancouver to tell Prime Minister Trudeau to reject racism and division and to endorse permanent resident status for all. Find out details about events near you at this link.
Politicians, and mainstream media, have been spreading lies and disinformation about migrants to distract us from holding corporations and bad policy responsible. Here are some myths and facts that cut through all of the noise:
MYTH: Migrants are causing unemployment
FACT: Billionaires are stealing jobs and profiting from layoffs
In just two years, Bell Canada axed 6,000 jobs while its CEO pocketed $13 million. Canadian big banks—TD, RBC, and Scotiabank—cut 7,500 jobs. Meanwhile, bank CEOs cashed in with $11 million salaries. The real job destroyers? Corporate greed. Migrants grow our food, care for our children and elders, and build our communities. They pay taxes that fund public services. Without migrants, Canada stops working.
MYTH: Migrants are causing the housing crisis.
FACT: Corporate landlords are raising the rent and evicting us
Corporate landlords like Starlight Investments hoard thousands of rental units and rake in taxpayer loans while evicting vulnerable tenants and jacking up rents. Speculators and developers are keeping supply low to fatten their profits. Without permanent resident status, many migrants are living in unsafe, overcrowded and employer controlled housing They aren’t creating the crisis—they’re living in it.
MYTH: Migrants are lowering wages
FACT: Elite-loving politicians are stopping wage growth
Politicians work with bosses to suppress wages by keeping minimum wage rates low and attacking unions. Saskatchewan has kept wages at $14/hour; Alberta has frozen wages for the last 6 years and Ontario & Manitoba have legislated wage caps for public sector workers. Our wages are not growing up because politicians won’t raise them.
MYTH: Migrants are driving the affordability crisis.
FACT: Grocery monopolies are gouging us.
Canada’s three largest grocery chains posted record-breaking profits of over $3.8 billion in 2023 by inflating food prices. Their CEOs took home $35 million, while their workers—and millions of us—struggled to afford basic groceries.
Blaming migrants is an old, dirty trick to divide us. Together, we must stand against racism, fight for equal rights, and demand permanent resident status for all. We need affordable homes, healthcare, good jobs, and justice for everyone.
On September 12-15, 2024, take action to say No to Racism and Yes to Immigrant Justice. Click to RSVP!
You can still take action if there are no events near you:
- Post on social media (Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook): This weekend, post on your social media and tag Prime Minister Trudeau, urge him to reject racism and ensure equality and permanent resident status for all migrants.
- Take the pledge and join our movement: Become an anti-racist champion, sign up to receive news and information to push back against xenophobia!