The federal government of Canada is trying to put in place a special program which would grant permanent residency to asylum seekers who have in one way or the other taken up health-care roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This temporary measure is expected to cover every region in the country. The number of asylum seekers that will benefit from the special program remains unknown but most beneficiaries would likely be from Quebec.
The details of the proposed program were obtained by Radio-Canada and as expected, the program would extend beyond workers in long-term care homes to every asylum seeker that has been working in the health system, including cleaners and guards.
The program would not apply to asylum seekers that took up jobs in other sectors irrespective of whether the jobs were classified as essential during the pandemic.
While talking about the program on Radio-Canada’s Tout un matin, Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly, Liberal MP for Montreal’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville riding, said the program had still not gotten approval from the cabinet committee.
She refused to provide details about the proposal and said it was only important to recognize the effort of those working on the front lines.
According to recent information received by Radio-Canada, Ottawa and Quebec have held meetings about the plan but they are yet to reach an agreement.
Marc-André Gosselin, Quebec’s Immigration Minister spokesperson said: “We are at work. Discussions are continuing with the federal government, since asylum seekers are currently a federal process.”
The Premier of Quebec, François Legault said in May that he would let Jolin-Barrette take a look at the situation, on a case-by-case basis, as a way to say “thank you.”
He also said that his government would have discussions with the federal government.
Several calls have been made to recognize the effort of asylum seekers who have worked and served as “guardian angels” during COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands of people have entered Canada from the United States through Roxham Road that leads into Quebec.
Advocates have voiced out concern they may not be permitted to stay in Canada when deportations resume after the pandemic subsides.
While talking about how many asylum seekers the program would help, the President of Quebec’s association of immigration lawyers, Guillaume Cliche-Rivard said several thousand people woul benefit from the program.
He said: “It’s a pretty broad definition. I think it’s absolutely fantastic. They listened to us very much. There was a big movement from the population and from society.”
