As a part of its 30th anniversary initiatives, the FCJ Refugee Centre is joining the Toronto For All campaign (#TorontoForAll), launched by the City of Toronto and with this year’s focus being Undocumented Residents.

The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, on behalf of Toronto City Council, has proclaimed August 24, 2021 as Undocumented Residents Day in the City of Toronto. The proclamation reads as follows:

Whereas thousands of undocumented residents living in Toronto make important contributions to our city, with many experiencing tremendous hardships while living in fear due to their lack of immigration status.

Undocumented residents are an important part of our city. While that reality is often unknown to us, these fellow residents are our neighbours, frontline workers and contribute to the cultural fabric of our city. As a result of their undocumented status, they often live in fear while being unseen, unheard and unrecognized.

Undocumented residents have language and identification barriers and lack access to safe and secure housing, health care, and education for themselves and their children. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the vast challenges they continue to face. Although the City of Toronto’s Access to City Services for Undocumented Torontonians policy strives to ensure access to all City services regardless of immigration status, the reality is that undocumented residents continue to face barriers in their communities.

We are all encouraged to be allies of undocumented residents by staying informed about issues relating to them and learning how we can offer our support.

Now therefore, I, Mayor John Tory, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim August 24, 2021 as Undocumented Residents Day in the City of Toronto.