New measures to protect vulnerable individuals
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2019 01:36:50 +0000
Canada is taking action to help protect vulnerable workers, newcomers who face family abuse, and help newcomers sponsor family members that they didn’t initially declare.
Migrants with employer-specific work permits
Some migrant workers with employer-specific work permits end up enduring mistreatment, fearful of workplace punishment, as well as fearful of losing their job.
Starting June 4, 2019, migrant workers who have an employer-specific work permit and are in an abusive job situation in Canada will be able to apply for an open work permit. This will allow migrant workers to leave that employer immediately, maintain their status and find another job.
Newcomers experiencing family violence
Starting July 26, 2019, newcomers experiencing family violence will be able to apply for a fee exempt temporary resident permit that will give them legal immigration status in Canada and includes a work permit and health care coverage.
In addition, processing will be expedited for those in urgent situations of family violence who apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
New pilot to sponsor family members
When a person applies to immigrate to Canada, they are required to declare all of their family members. The consequence for failing to declare a family member is a lifetime bar on the principal applicant being able to sponsor that family member in the future.
As of September 9, 2019, the government is launching a 2-year pilot project where a person (resettled refugee, was conferred refugee protection in Canada or were themselves sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependent child) who came to Canada can now sponsor undeclared immediate family members.
According to Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen: “Newcomers who failed to declare immediate family members as they first came to Canada were barred from sponsoring them. Today, we right that wrong. No worker should fear losing their job when they are being mistreated in their place of work. No partner should be more fearful of losing their immigration status instead of escaping abuse. Today, we say, fear no more.”