TORONTO – Toronto has joined the likes of Chicago, New York City and San Francisco in becoming Canada’s first “sanctuary city” — a place where anyone can can access city services, regardless of immigration status.
The decision was made at City Hall Thursday night, after councillors debated on whether to extend city services to the estimated 100,000-200,000 to undocumented immigrants (those whose visas have expired) in the city.
With this decision, non-status residents will be able to access city services without the fear of being detained and or deported.
“Non-status” refers to people who were legally allowed into the country but are overstaying their visas, or those who didn’t get refugee status and are dodging deportation.
However, it doesn’t mean they have access to provincial services like welfare of housing, but it does mean they will be able to access all of the services the city offers.
Only three councillors voted against it, including deputy mayor Doug Holyday and Public Works chair Denzil Minnan-Wong.
Minnan-Wong said that it sends a message to the world that “it’s OK to break the law to come to Canada and it says the city is an accomplice to this law-breaking.”
Gas Prices
680News Android App
Weather Guarantee
Advertiser Directory
I have no use for the politicians anymore, Doug Holiday and the other two are right, what is our country becoming, a safe haven for immigrants. we just keep paying out. The people should vote not the idots that did. sick and tired of our politicians.
Wow! Why can’t they find a way to save money or reduce tax?
Who voted for these people? So, what is illegal?
politicians are quick to give out taxpayers money as long as it’s not coming out of their own pockets
Where are the rights and priviledges of regular Canadians?
Do we put the ILLEGAL immigrants AHEAD of them? (US)
Karl
I’m curious. Only three councillors voted against the measure. Isn’t city council pretty well split along conservative-liberal lines? Where was Doug Ford on the issue? I don’t see him voting in favour of this, and wouldn’t Rob Ford have a vote on council issues? On the surface it seems the right wing went along with it. Does anyone have a breakdown of who voted for and against?
We have become truly people who do not remember where we are coming from. Canada is made up of immigrants technically and all our past generations immigrated here to make a better life. The fact of the matter is that immigrants both legal and illegal make this country what it is and even the current illegal immigrants are contributing to the GDP that we so protect and refuse to share with them. They take the jobs that we legal citizens of Canada turn up our noses on and refuse to do. I don’t believe that we should allow those who breaks the law remain or get away with it but have some empathy. Find out more why the govmnt has moved twd implementing this new law. These ppl are just seeking for a better life. If what they had back home is was better, they most certainly would not be here…think about it! The heart of ppl has grown so selfish and cold these days and we celebrate every change that is bibically/morally wrong but rant against act of kindness… May God have mercy on our souls!
Resolution: Start voting Conservative. Alberta doesn’t deal with crap like this.
I have the same concern as councillor Minnan-Wong and the disagreed voice above.
Toronto – don’t forget this when election time roles around. This is a huge issue to not be forgotten about.
Wow. I didn’t realize we had so many rascists in Toronto. Hopefully just those writing all these terrible comments. Do you know how many of these immigrants were lured to this country by employers with false promises? How many of them are being employed as nannys, in-home care, etc. People don’t mind what the immigrants are doing as long as they are picking our grapes, or looking after our children for almost free. But god forbid they want to use any services like normal human beings!! Wow. Alot of the comments above were made by rascist, oblivious, pigs.
Its not being racist… Its having respect for a system that most of our parents,or grandparents, all followed properly when they came to this country! Respecting what they were able to do, and accomplish for all of us…Their children/grand-children…. with next to nothing being handed to them when they arrived. A documented immigrant can still do all those jobs if they so choose. And hiring one is completely legal for the employer. Hiring Undocumented immigrants should get the employer charged with Aiding & Abetting, and Harboring illegal immigrants -Which ever applies. and the company (if such is the case) shut down as this is an unfair advantage over that companies competitors legally operating in this country. The laws of this country on this were designed to keep a level playing field for ALL businesses and legal citizens.
We should vote out of office for those responsible for this decision.
Great! Create a reward system for illegal citizens.Just because they do it in some of the US states, doesn’t make it right. Take a look at their crime statistics. We do not need more crime, and the city council has created a sanctuary for people who break the law. Way to go guys. I will be voting with my feet next election that’s a promise.
Ditto all the above comments.Just ridiculous………..
The politicians will be getting a big, fat raise and a bonus on top of it for this idiotic decision.
You think your taxes are high now watch out!
Do we really want to compare ourselves with cities in the USA that are busy dealing with their own issues & now we know why???? All legal tax paying residents/citizens should be outraged by this. Why was it not put out there for residents to vote on??? TO cant keep up with its legal residents to lets add to it….. Pathetic
wow ….canada is becoming the country where everyone gets away with everything…….
Crime & now this ? Why doesn’t the government TAKE CARE OF THOSE BORN HERE ????
THEY DON”T CARE ABOUT CANADIAN BLOOD ……. they treat those canadians like crap &
immigrants like gold . WAKE UP !!!!!!!!
Anyone who applies for a city service and can not immediately provide proof that they are here legally should be detained forthwith and returned to their country of origin without delay.
There can be little doubt that their intentions were formed well before they applied for their visas.
Is this serious? This is a joke, right? It’s April fools day already?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
This a horrific decision. If these people are overstaying their welcome, why are they not
being tracked down with taxpayers money and returned to their homeland and go through
the legal process. This is a preferable option to this current decision . Have an 800 tips line for this purpose. More than likely they are being housed by relatives or friends, they should be charged for
assisting these individuals.
We have enough immigaration problems and that is with laws in place. We need to take a hard nose approach to the illegals at all levels of government. These type of laws should be made
or amended at a Federal Level, not with the local yahoo’s .
No wonder the Americans are convinced we are a terrorist haven. Oh Al Qaeda, right over here if you please. Just line up like any other polite Canadian.
Excellent!! For all those who posted negative comments let me shed some light as most of you have no clue about Social Services. Many of these illegal immigrants were brought over by their husbands or family in which the paper work was improperly made out. There are a lot of women that are in abusive relationships & many are in Womens Shelters & there children are in care. That’s the only service that is provided. They aren’t intitled to legal aid or healthcare. For the people who make negative comments try showing some compassion. If you were sick wouldn’t you like help. Try working in Social Services like CAS or a womens shelter for a day & I guarantee you will quickly have a change of heart.
Wow – talk about a gravy train… stop the madness. What happens to all the people who are trying to do things the right way and are on lists waiting to have their case heard so they can stay LEGALLY!, Why try to do things the right way when it’s politically correct now to do them the back door way. Shame on you Toronto, look after the people who contribute first and the freeloaders last. Look out 905 area code you are next… I only hope the illegals do not have the right to vote and we’re stuck with these politicians againg. mmmm perhaps that is the plan.
Really? Our pockets are empty! We have no money! Charity begins with our legal citizens for crying out loud. I agree with the statement: It’s an “insult to every immigrant who played by the rules to get into the country. It sends the message to the world it’s OK to break the law to come to Canada and it says the city is an accomplice to this law breaking.” My parents were those people who played by the rules to get into this country!
Most of our parents or grand-parents were….
maybe if we dig a deep trench around toronto it will slide into the lake!
FOOLS, economic benefits far outnumber so called city expenses. You are all uneducated illiterates blaming , illegal immigrants (like most our forefathers were) for your own misery.
The only good that can come from this is if the city is doing this as a bait and switch method, and when these… “citizens” go to use services, they’re arrested, tried and deported.
In which case, this is an awesome decision. But since this is probably not the case, I give a great big sigh.
Anyone wonder why Toronto has so much debt and the taxes are so high?
This is such a joke. Clearly, the councillors like spending other people’s money. This will just encourage people to live in Toronto illegally. Bunch of suckers.
great! so just raise our taxes some more to just use it for people that don’t work and contribute to our economy!
But they vote liberal so…. they count more than the rest of us!!
The only thing as tax payers we can do is not re elect anyone on city council the next election. And if they do get re elected we need to take a close look at that region of toronto,to better understand why the people in this area of the city would elect someone that is responsible for bringing these types of individuals to toronto and expecting the rest of us tax payers to pay for it. [What happered to being financially responsible]
All we need is better immigration laws, we should accept immigrants that are in not having any criminal records so they can live and work here.
Great, just what we need. More encouragement for people to come here and take advantage of our generosity at the expense of those who choose to follow the law and contribute positively to this country.
When will these bleeding heart left liberals get a grip on reality. Being here illegally should mean just that.you have no right to anything except a deportation order effective immediately. Spend more of my tax money on crooks,thank you so much.