Myth:
Illegal immigrants are criminals
Reality:
Migration is not a crime. Nowhere in the Canadian Criminal Code does it list migration as a crime.
Also, when we look at the reasons that people migrate (e.g., war, poverty, persecution, fear of death), the focus should turn to Canada and its role in perpetuating these conditions that cause migration.
Myth:
Canada’s Immigration System is very generous and we cannot afford to let any more people in as then we will “open the floodgates”
Reality:
Myth:
Canada’s refugee system takes care of everyone!
Reality:
Canada's refugee system is an arbitrary process where more than half of claimants are denied. Refugee board members are appointed officials and are not required to know the conditions in other countries.
Also, when the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was changed, it was promised that an appeals board would be put in place for claimants to appeal their denied applications. Canada has yet to implement this appeals board.
Myth:
Non-Status immigrants don’t pay taxes
Reality:
Non-status immigrants pay GST, PST, property taxes, contribute to the CPP, and may also have social security numbers.
Myth:
Non-Status immigrants are on welfare and come to Canada to Use our social services without paying anything back
Reality:
Non-status immigrants are not allowed to access any social or city services, even though it is their human right to do so. Every day, students are denied access to education, domestic violence survivors are denied protection from police and injured workers are denied access to health care. All of these non-status contribute to the economy, but are still denied the benefits that all Canadians enjoy.
Myth:
Non-Status immigrants jump the queue!
Reality:
There is no lineup or waiting list for immigrants to enter Canada. Those people who are allowed to enter Canada without any hassles are the wealthy. They do not have to worry about facing death or detention when they come to Canada in order to survive the situations they leave behind in their home countries.
Myth:
Non-Status immigrants take away jobs
Reality:
There are job shortages that cannot be filled by Canadians. Canada has also made human trafficking legal by filling these jobs with poor and skilled workers from the South. These workers are denied decent wages, work overtime in poor working conditions, subjected to abuse and exploitation by their employers, and are threatened with being deported if they ever complain due to these reasons.
