Ajax declares itself a sanctuary city

durhamregion.com
June 29, 2017
By Keith Gilligan

The town has joined five other Canadian municipalities by declaring it’s a sanctuary city.

The declaration means undocumented immigrants won’t be asked about their status if they chose to register for a town program.

“We want to ensure residents know Ajax buildings are safe places for everyone,” Tracey Vaughan, the director of recreation, culture & community development told council on Monday, June 26.

Council unanimously approved the declaration.

“All residents will be able to access all services regardless of their status. We won’t ask about their status to register for a program. We won’t share personal information with the federal government unless we’re required by federal and provincial law,” Vaughan added. “There isn’t a requirement to ask for documentation.”

She said being a sanctuary community gives undocumented and precarious status residents full access to local services and supports their legal path to citizenship.

Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, London and Montreal have declared themselves sanctuary cities, while Ottawa, Saskatoon and Regina are considering it. In the United States, there are 41 sanctuary cities and four states have declared the designation.

Jai Sahak, the town’s diversity & community engagement co-ordinator, noted Ajax is the most diverse community in Durham region.

“We want to reconfirm to all residents, especially the most vulnerable. Some are forced to live without status or on the edge of status. It could be a mother, a father. They can access town services,” Sahak said.

“It’s not an attempt to normalize their status. The goal is to support their path to citizenship,” he noted. “It’s not an endorsement of illegal immigration.”

With access to the town’s programs, people can “live more meaningful lives,” Sahak added, saying those who take part in a town initiative will “feel a sense of obligation.”

Wards 1 and 2 regional Coun. Shaun Collier said: “It’s a great initiative. It’s something I absolutely support. It’s something we’re already doing.”

The program is “more than just a public statement. It’s something we’re already doing. This formalizes it,” Collier said.

Vaughan noted: “It really makes it clear Ajax residents are Ajax residents.”

The town will run a campaign to let residents know about the initiative.

“We have great partners in the community. We’ll let them know why this is important and why Ajax has taken this position,” Vaughan said.

Wards 3 and 4 regional Coun. Colleen Jordan said: “I’m so pleased this has come forward. It sends a clear statement to the residents in the community.”