Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in downtown Toronto on Sunday against racism and demanded justice for immigrants.
The event organized by community groups and activists was a response to rising xenophobic rhetoric from right-wing politicians and policies that scapegoat immigrants for Canada’s housing and affordability crisis.
The demonstration that started at Nathan Phillips Square highlighted the urgent need to shift the focus from blaming immigrants to addressing systemic issues of corporate greed, government cutbacks, and failed policies impacting healthcare, housing, and social services.
The rally aimed to unite workers, citizens, and immigrants against the real beneficiaries of the current crisis: corporations, landlords, and the wealthy elite.
Syed Hussan, an organizer of the event, emphasized the urgent need to hold governments and corporations accountable for the housing crisis by making housing a public right.
“Until the '80s, the majority of housing construction in Canada was done by the federal government and there were a lot of affordable units," he said. "Just in the last two years, half a million, 500,000 affordable units have been taken off the market because private developers bought them and then increased the price above affordability.’’
Advocating for permanent residency status for all migrants, Hussan said it essential everyone in the country has the same rights, "and the only way to achieve that is by ensuring everyone has permanent residency status.”
He urged people to join the movement, highlighting that “everyone is impacted-struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, and facing low wages,” and called for collective action to advocate for equal rights for migrants.
Cain Ibrahim, a demonstrator and a full-time student, articulated the challenges many face in affording rent and making ends meet. He, like Hussan, attributes the crisis largely to corporate greed, criticizing new developments that demolish affordable neighbourhoods in favour of vacant units.
“Right now, there’s a lot of focus on Indian immigrants, but there’s always been a specific group under scrutiny,” he said.
Though born in Canada, Ibrahim acknowledged witnessing racism firsthand. He expressed hope for change, citing the solidarity of almost 2,000 people from diverse backgrounds attending the rally. “We’re all struggling to afford necessities like food,” Ibrahim said.
Yang Gao, a local activist and older immigrant, said the challenges newer immigrants face, particularly those with limited English proficiency, included systemic discrimination. She said many immigrants encounter violence and struggle to access essential services like housing and healthcare.
“The government complicates the process to make it less accessible for many people who are already oppressed in their home countries," Gao said. "When they arrived here, they continue to face oppression within a highly stratified immigration system.”
She said access to permanent residency often favours those with assets or businesses, leaving temporary workers and students at a disadvantage.
Although permanent residency was promised for undocumented people in December 2021 by Immigration Minister Marc Miller it was never delivered. This failure has left many without access to basic rights.
“If I get permanent residency, I would have access to health care, education, and better job opportunities, allowing me to support my family back home in Jamaica,” said Monieya Jess, an undocumented migrant who works with the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.
She said while many are aware of the struggles faced by undocumented individuals, the reality often goes unacknowledged.
“We’re all human, contributing to society, and deserve to be treated equally, regardless of our background,” Jess said.
She said she wants undocumented workers to be recognized for their contributions to society.
"We contribute, pay taxes, and deserve access to the same rights and benefits as everyone else," Jess said.
Jess and many others in the rally emphasized a collective demand for systemic change and solidarity in the face of adversity, fostering a movement committed to justice for immigrants and a fairer society for all.
The event called on Canadians urging them to continue opposing anti-immigrant sentiment and to stand in solidarity with migrants and workers suffering under the current system.
— with files by Liam Neilson
