ending migrant worker exploitationb. to organize your own, contact [email protected] and read...

EndingMigrantWorkerExploitationatoolkitforactioninMay&June2016

[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca

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CoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaLaunchedinOctober2015,theCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaistheunifiedvoiceofmigrantworkersinCanada.Ouraimissimple:tore-buildtheimmigrationsystemtoensurebasicdignityandfairnessforeveryone.OurmembersrepresenthundredsofthousandsofCanadian-born,andmigrantworkers.Togetherweknowthatweneedaneconomythatworksforeveryone,notonethatforcesustofighteachotherforscraps.CoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaMembers

• CooperInstituteinPEI• MigrantWorkersAllianceforChange*• MigrantWorkerSolidarityNetworkinManitoba• MigranteCanada• RadicalActionwithMigrantsinAgriculturein

OkanaganValley• TemporaryForeignWorkersAssociationin

Quebec• TemporaryForeignWorkersCoalitioninAlberta• VancouverCommitteeforDomesticWorkers

andCaregiverRights• WestCoastDomesticWorkersAssociationin

Vancouver

*MigrantWorkersAllianceforChangeincludes:• AllianceforSouthAsianAIDSPrevention

(Toronto)• AsianCommunityAidsServices(Ontario)• CaregiversActionCentre(Ontario)• FuerzaPuwersa(Guelph)• IndustrialAccidentVictims’GroupofOntario• JusticiaforMigrantWorkers(Ontario,BC,Mexico)• LegalAssistanceofWindsor• MigranteOntario• NoOneIsIllegal–Toronto• ParkdaleCommunityLegalServices• SocialPlanningToronto• UNIFOR(Canada)• SouthAsianLegalClinicofOntario• UnitedFoodandCommercialWorkers(Canada)• WorkersUnited(Canada)• Workers’ActionCentre(Toronto).


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ThisdocumenthasbeenadaptedfromtoolkitsdevelopedbytheCooperInstitute,IncomeSecurityAdvocacyCentre,ArthritisSocietyandFreeGrassy.netMigrantWorkersandLeadership

MigrantworkersareconstructedasvulnerableasaresultoflegalrestrictionsthatareplacedontheiremploymentinCanada.EconomicinsecuritiescoupledwithracismandxenophobiaisdrivingawedgebetweenmigrantworkersandCanadiancitizens.Migrantworkersarenotstealingjobs,drivingdownwages.Wehopethatthistoolkitprovidestheresourcestochallengethesediscriminatoryideasandtobuildsolidaritywithmigrantworkers.Inspiteoftheobstaclesmigrantworkersareorganizing.Migrantworkersareorganizinginfarms,incommunities,inprocessingsites,inhomesallacrossCanada.Migrantworkersareleaders,areorganizers,areheroes.Theroleofalliesistowalkalongsideworkers,asmigrantworkersstriveforjustice.CMWRC’sgoalincreatingthistoolkitistoprovideresourcestobuildcollectivestrengthamongstmigrantworkersandtheiralliestostrivetowardsmigrantworkerssocial,legal,racial,genderandeconomicjustice.Wehavepreparedthistoolkittoadvocateforpermanentimmigrationstatusonlandingformigrantworkers,andopenworkpermitsinthecontextofthereviewoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramthatbeginsonMay11,2016.


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TableofContents

ACTIONPLAN–WEMUSTACTNOW! 5

WHATISTHETEMPORARYFOREIGNWORKERSREVIEW? 6

TOOL1:BACKGROUNDER:WHOAREMIGRANTWORKERSANDWHATDOTHEYNEED? 7

TOOL2:FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS 11

TOOL3:MEETINGWITHYOURMPS 13

TOOL3A:TEMPLATEEMAILTOREQUESTAMEETING 14TOOL3B:PRIORITYMEMBERSOFPARLIAMENTTOMEET 15TOOL3C:SAMPLEPHONECALLGUIDETOBOOKAMEETING 17TOOL3D:MEETINGYOURMPFACE-TO-FACE 18

TOOL4:LETTERTOTHEEDITOR 20

TOOL5:ORGANIZINGPUBLICEVENTS 21

TOOL5A:ORGANIZINGAPUBLICEVENT 22TOOL5B:GETTINGMEDIACOVERAGE 24


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ACTIONPLAN–Wemustactnow!Wehaveaverysmallwindowforimmediateactionandweareinterestedinbuildingalong-termmovement.Hereareafewsimpleandeasystepsyoucantakerightnowwhichcouldmakethedifferencebetweenwinningandlosingmajorreformsformigrantworkersintheupcomingreviewandwillconnectyouwithorganizationsacrossthecountrytobepartoftheongoingstruggle.

1. Goonlineandtakesthesesimplesocialmediaactions.a. Gotowww.migrantrights.caandsignourpetition.Makesuretoopt-intoour

announcementslist.b. Joinusonfacebookatwww.facebook.com/MigrantRightsCAandtwitterat

www.twitter.com/MigrantRightsCAc. Wewillbepostinginfographics,breakingnewsandanalysisandworkertestimonies.Make

suretoturn-onnotificationsandboosttheshares.d. Feelfreetodevelopyourownmemesandsharethosewithus.

2. NextsetupameetingwithyourMembersofParliament–theywillbeintheirridingsMay21-29

a. Wehavedevelopedatooltohelpyoudojustthat.

3. GetintouchwithamemberofCMWRCinyourregiontobepartofupcomingactions.a. Alberta:[email protected]. BritishColumbia:[email protected]. Manitoba:[email protected]. Ontario:[email protected]. PrinceEdwardIsland:[email protected]. Quebec:[email protected]

4. Join/Organizepubliceventsduringthe#StatusNowWeekofAction

a. FromMay28thtoJune5th–WewillbeorganizingactionsacrossCanada.Visitwww.migrantrights.cafordetailsofupcomingeventsororganizeyourown.

b. Toorganizeyourown,contactinfo@migrantrights.caandreadthetoolkitbelow.Wehavedevelopedpetitions,backgrounder,mediakitsandflyersforyoutouse.

5. Writingletterstonewspapersa. Takeafewminutesrightnowandsendalettertotheeditorofyourlocalnewspaper.We

haveattachedasampleyourcanuse.


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WhatistheTemporaryForeignWorkersreview?InMayandJune2016,theStandingCommitteeonHumanResources,SkillsandSocialDevelopmentandtheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities(HUMA)willbereviewingtheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram.Detailsofthescopeandtimelineofthereviewhavenotbeenfinalized.Hereisthetimelineofthereview

• May11:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-MinistersandDepartmentalOfficialswillpresent

• May16:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• May18:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• May21–29:MembersofParliamentwillbeintheirriding• May30:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• June1:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• June8:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-distributionofdraftreport• June13:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-considerationofdraftreport• June15:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-adoptionofreport

Ourprioritiesforthisrevieware:

• Ensurethemigrantworkersarepartofthediscussionandthroughthisprocesswinreformsthatfurtherthehumanandlabourrightsformigrantworkers

o Thismeansensuringthatmigrantworkersarewitnessestothecommittee.o Ensurethatmigrantworkersarespeakingatpubliceventsandinthemediaduringthe

courseofthereviewtellingtheirownstories.o Ifyouareamigrantworker,orworkwithmigrantworkers,getintouchwithussowecan

coordinateyourparticipation.• Facilitateacross-Canadaconversationonmigrantworkerrights

o Organizein-person(streetactions,publicevents)andsocialmediainteractionstoshowthevalueandworthofmigrantworkers

o ChangesomeofthecommonmisperceptionsaboutmigrantworkersandbuildsolidarityamongallresidentsofCanada

• StrengthenamigrantworkerledmovementforimmigrationreforminCanadao BuildingbridgesandalliancesbetweenmigrantworkergroupsandtheiralliesacrossCanada

toorganizejointactions.


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TOOL1:BACKGROUNDER:Whoaremigrantworkersandwhatdotheyneed? We’vepreparedabackgrounderthatyoucanuseinyourowncommunity.Printthenextthreepagesand

• GivetoyourMemberofParliament(MP)inyourmeetingwiththem;• Provideitasbackgroundforareporterorothermediapersonyouareworkingwith;and• Givetopeopleinyourcommunitytotakeaction.


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Migrant Workers in Canada

MigrantworkersrefertoTemporaryForeignWorkersontiedorclosedworkpermits.Therearethreekeystreamswithverydifferentaccesstorightsandservices.

SeasonalAgriculturalWorkersProgram

TemporaryForeignWorkers–LowWaged CaregiversProgram

TypeofWork

MostlymenfromMexicoandtheCaribbeancountrieswhocometoCanadatogrowourfood.Theyworkinfarms,fields,andfoodfactories.

Racializedwomenandmenworkinginretail,food,agriculture,hospitality,fisheriesandsimilarindustriesdoingbackbreakingwork.

MostlywomenfromthePhilippines,IndonesiaandLatinAmericawhotakecareofchildren,elderlyandpeoplewithdisabilities.

Workerrecruitment.

Inthisbilateralgovernmentprogram,workerrecruitmentiscoordinatedbetweentheMinistryofLabourinsendingcountriesandFARMSCanada.Workersmaybeforcedtopaylocalofficialstogetintotheprogram.

Employersmustpay$1,000processingfeesforLabourMarketImpactAssessments.Thesefeesareoftendownloadedtoworkers.ManyworkerspayrecruitersthousandsofdollarstogetjobsinCanada.Recruitersarenotfederallyregulated.

PermittypeCanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirpermits.It’snearlyimpossibletochangejobs,orspeakoutwhenfacingabuse.Theyarenotallowedtotakeonadditionalworktosupplementtheirincome,orupgradetheirskillsandgetaneducationbyenrollinginuniversity.

Lengthofpermits

CanworkinCanadaforamaximumof8monthsperyear.Someworkershavebeencomingeveryyearformorethan40years.

CanworkandliveinCanadaforamaximumof4years.TheyarethenbarredfromworkinginCanadaforthenextfouryears.

Labourrights

Aregenerallyexcludedfrommanybasicemploymentstandards,suchasovertimepay.Inpracticemayreceivelessthanminimumwage.Canbeblacklistedfromtheprogramforspeakingupandassertingtheirrights.

Oftenaredeniedtherightssetoutintheircontractsandinthelaw,includingbeingdeniedminimumwage,overtimepayorvacationpay.Facereprisals,includingterminationandthreatsofdeportation,forspeakingout.

Housing Muststayinemployerprovidedhousing

Maybeforcedtostayinemployerprovidedhousingdependingonthetypeofprogram.

Maybeforcedtostayinemployerprovidedhousingdependingontheiryearofarrival.

PermanentResidency

CannotgetPermanentResidentstatusinCanadaunderFederalprograms.VerysmallnumbersofTFWsinthelow-wagedstreamcangetpermanentresidencythroughprovincialprograms(exceptinOntarioandQuebec).

Therearecapsonhowmanycaregiverscanreceivepermanentresidence.Thismeanstheymustworkforaminimumtwoyearsfortheiremployersbutnolongerknowwhentheyentertheprogramifthatwillallowthemtoaccesspermanentresidence.


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Three steps to ensure rights and build a better economy Overthelastfivedecades,migrantworkersinallprogramshaveexpressedalitanyofconcernsaboutbeingemployedunderCanada’stemporaryforeignworkersschemes.Inthissection,weareprovidingyouwithanoverviewofthethreekeydemandsthattheCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRights–Canadaisputtingforwardtoaddresssomeoftheseconcerns.Theseareeasy,pragmaticsolutionstoexpandhumanandlabourrightsofimmigrantworkersinCanada.

I.Equality-Robustpermanentimmigrationsystem

MigrantworkersinCanadadeservepermanentimmigrationstatus.FutureimmigrantworkerscomingtoCanadaintheSeasonalAgriculturalWorkersProgram,theTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramandtheCaregiversProgramshouldarrivewithpermanentimmigrationstatus.

Migrantworkersareimportant:Migrantworkersworkinfarmsandfactories,takingcareofchildren,thesickandtheelderly.Agriculture,caregiving,foodproduction,constructionareimportantindustriesthatrequirespecializedskillsthatmigrantworkershave.Oursocietycannotfunctionwithoutthecriticalcontributionsthatmigrantworkersmake.

Migrantworkersarenottemporary:SomemigrantworkershavebeencomingbacktoCanadatoworkforeightmonthsoftheyearforoverfortyyears.Othershavebeenherepermanentlyforuptofouryearsifnotmore.Thesefriendsandfamilymembersofourshavelaidroots,builtlivesandcontributedtoCanada.Theydeservepermanentresidencystatustocontinuetoliveherewithdignity.

Permanentresidencymakeseconomicsense:Migrantworkershelpgrowbusinesses.Ithurtsemployerstohavetoretrainnewworkerseveryfewyears.Providingmigrantworkerwithpermanentresidencywouldensureastableworkforceandbuildabettereconomyforusall.

Permanentresidencyensuresservices:Manylabourrights,andbasicservicesinCanadalikehealthcareandpostsecondaryeducationaretiedtopermanentimmigrationstatus.Evenifmigrantworkerswishtoreturnhomeeventually,permanentresidentstatusistheonlywaytoensureaccesstotheseservicesnow.Ontopofthat,migrantworkerspayforalltheseservicesalready–theydeserveaccesstothem.

Permanentresidencyisthenorm:Mostimmigrants–refugees,spouses,high-wagedimmigrants-arriveinCanadawithpermanentresidenceimmigrationstatuswhichgivesthempeaceofmind,theabilitytore-unitewiththeirfamiliesandthetoolstheyneedtolaydeeperrootsandbuildoursocietyfurtherassoonastheyarrive.Migrantworkersshouldnotbeexcluded.

Permanentresidencymeansfamilyreunification:Migrantworkersdeservetohavetheirfamiliesjointhem.Measuresneedtobeputinplacetoallowmigrantworkerstohavetheirfamiliesvisitthemorforthemtobeabletovisittheirfamilies.That’sjustfair.


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II.Mobility-Workpermitsshouldnotbetied

Migrantworkerscanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirworkpermit–thisiscalledatiedorclosedworkpermitandisunfair.Migrantworkersshouldhaveopenworkpermits

Tiedworkpermitsallowabuse:Itisverydifficult,sometimesimpossible;tochangejobsbecauseoftiedworkpermits.Employersknowthisanditgivesbadbossestheabilitytoexploitworkers.

Itisamatterofchoice:Eachofusdeservesthechoicetowalkawayfromabadboss,orajobthatmakesussick.Thisisnotaprivilege;itisabasicrightthatmigrantworkersaredenied.

Tiedpermitsdivideus:Tiedworkpermitsdividetheworkforce,andcreateagroupofworkersthataremorevulnerablethentherest.Thisimpactsallworkers.III.Voice-UndotheHarm

WeneedtoendHarper-erarestrictionsthatdenymigrantworkerstheirvoice,humanrights,anddecenthealth.

Endthefour-yearlimitonworkpermits:Ratherthanvaluetheircontributions,currentpolicyforcesmigrantworkerstoleaveafterfouryears.Thisuprootslong-termworkerswhohavebuiltlivesandrelationshipshereandhelpedbuildlocalbusinesses.

EndtheCaps:Worksiteswithover10fulltimeworkersaresubjecttoprogressive“caps”onthepercentageofmigrantworkersintheirtotalworkforceeachyear.It’llbe10%inJuly2016.Migrantworkersarebeingforcedoutofjobstheyhaveheldforyears.

Allowworkerstochangejobs:Nonewpermitsarebeingissuedinfood,andretailsectorinregionswithunemploymentgreaterthan6%.Thishaseffectivelylockedworkersalreadyhereintothosejobs,greatlyincreasingthechancesofexploitation.

RemoveLMIAfees:A$1,000feehasbeenplacedonLabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA)applicationsthatemployersaredownloadingtoworkers.Migrantworkersshouldn’thavetopaytowork.

RestoreCaregivers’guaranteedrighttopermanentresidencestatus,reverseNovember2014changes:NowonlyasmallquotaofCaregiverscanapplyforpermanentresidency,andmustmeetaveryrestrictivecriterionevenafterworkingherefortwoyears.

RestoreportableEIbenefits:AllowSeasonalAgriculturalWorkersandothermigrantworkersaccesstopensions,parentalbenefits,EIandsupportsafterinjuriesevenaftertheyleaveCanada.

Regulaterecruiters:MigrantworkershavetopaytensofthousandsofdollarstounregulatedrecruiterstogetajobinCanada.Todoso,theytakeontremendousdebtandsotheyarriveinthecountryunabletoasserttheirbasicrights.TheFederalgovernmentcanencourageprovincestoregulaterecruiters,andcreateinter-provincialagreementssothatrecruitersdon’tswitchprovincestoavoidaccountability.


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TOOL2:FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS1.Whoaremigrantworkers?

MigrantworkerscomefromJamaica,Philippines,Mexicoandothercountriesworkinginfarms,fields,factoriesortakingcareofchildren,sickortheelderly.Migrantworkersarelargelyracialized,andoftenworkingclasspeoplefromtheGlobalSouth.

Officially,migrantworkersaredividedinto‘SeasonalAgriculturalWorkers’,‘Caregivers’and‘TemporaryForeignWorkers’.Thesethreegroupslivedunderslightlydifferentrulesbutwhat’scommoninallofthemisthattheyareallon‘tied’or‘closed’permits.Thatmeansthattheycanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirworkpermitsandhaveaverydifficulttimechangingjobs.Bademployersknowthisandmakemigrantworkersworkharder,inmoredangerousjobsandforlongerhourswithlesspaybecausetheyknowmigrantworkerscan’tleavethem.2.Don’tmigrantworkershavethesamerightsaseveryoneelse?

No.Mostimmigrants-likerefugees,spouses,andricherimmigrants-cometoCanadapermanently,andtheirfamiliescanvisitthem.Butmigrantworkers-eventhoughtheygothroughthesamestrenuoustestingthatotherimmigrantsdo-comeherewithouttheirfamilies.OtherthanCaregivers,mostofthemcannotevenapplytostayherepermanentlythroughafederalprogram.SomeworkersinagriculturecometoCanadaforeightmonthsoftheyearsfor35to40yearsbuttheystillcan’tliveherepermanently.Manymigrantworkersinagricultureareexcludedfromminimumwagelawsanddomesticmigrantworkersareexcludedfromoccupationalhealthandsafetylaws.

ManyofourparentsorgrandparentscametoCanadaandworkedinlow-payingjobs.Today,theywouldhavecomeasmigrantworkers.Weneedasingletiersystemandlawsshouldnotdenypeopletheirfamilies,basicservicesanddignitysimplybecausetheymakelessmoney.3.ThereissomuchunemploymentinCanada,whyaretheremigrantworkers?DoesthismeanthatmigrantworkersarestealingCanadianjobs?

TemporaryforeignworkersfindemploymentinCanadalegally.Whenweusetheworld“stealing”todescribehowamigrantacquiresajobwearefalselycriminalizingthem.Migrantworkersmakeuplessthan0.005%ofthelabourforce.Thereareatleast1.3millionunemployedCanadiancitizensandapproximately100,000migrantworkersinCanada.Mostmigrantworkersareinregionswithrelativelylowunemployment,andworkinginindustrieswheretherearefewCanadiancitizens.Eveniftherewerenomigrantworkers,therewouldstillbe1.2millionunemployedCanadiancitizens.

Alotofusaresufferingfromunemploymentandprecariousjobsandweneedtodealwiththat.ThishastobedonethroughimprovingEmploymentInsurance,raisingtheminimumwage,providingtraining,moreaccessibleeducationandgivingpeopletheskillsthatthejobmarketneeds.Migrantworkersarenottheproblem.


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4.ManypeopleinCanadaalreadydon’thavehealthcare/housing/food/pensions,etc-canweaffordtogivethosetomigrantworkers?

Ifanything,migrantworkersactuallysubsidizethewelfaresystem,nottheotherwayaround.Migrantworkerspayintopensionsandemploymentinsurancebutmostdon’treceiveit.Similarlytheypayallfederalandprovincialtax(HST)butinmostprovincesdon’tgetfullhealthcare,worker’scompensation,socialassistance,subsidizedhousingorpost-secondaryeducation.Accordingtoonereport,justin2008,migrantworkersandtheiremployerspouredin$300millionintoEmploymentInsurancethattheydidnotaccess!

WeneedtodealwithpeopledrainingoursocialprogramsandtodothatweshouldstartwiththewealthyelitesinCanadawhoarenowhoardingarecord$170billioninoffshoretaxhavens.5.Migrantworkerschosetobetreatedthisway.Iftheyarebeingtreatedthisbadly,whydon’ttheyjustgohome?

Migrantworkershavetopayanequivalentoftwo-yearsalariestocomeworkinCanadatorecruiters.Chargingrecruitmentfeesareillegalinmanyplacesinthecountrybutmostprovincessimplydon’tenforcetheselaws.Theserecruitersmakemanypromisestomigrantworkers,butmigrantworkersarrivetoconditionsdifferentfromwhattheywerepromised.Evenifwagesaresometimeshigher,migrantworkersareawayfromtheirfamiliesandsupportsystemandfacingalotmorepressure.

Formanypeople,migrationisnotachoice.MigrantworkersareforcedtocometoCanadaisbecausetherearefewjobsintheircountries.MultinationalcorporationsgointocountriesintheGlobalSouthcreatingsweatshopsanddangerousextractionandinfrastructureprojectsthatreduceaccesstogoodjobsanddecentqualityoflife.Toensurethatpeoplearen’tforcedtoleavetheirhomestocometoilhere,weneedtochallengetradeagreementsliketheTPP,forcecorporationstonotcreatesweatshopswhichcreatedtragediesliketheRanaPlazawhereapproximately1,200BangladeshiworkersdiedmakingclothesofNorthAmericanandEuropeanconsumers,andpasslawsthatholdCanadiancorporationsaccountableforcrimescommittedindevelopingcountries.

Atthesametime,becauseofglobalpoverty,theTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramistheonlywayforsomepeopletosendtheirkidstoschool,putfoodonthetable,andsecureshelterandhousingfortheirfamilies.SomemigrantworkersarechoosingtocometoCanada,theyarenotchoosingtobeexploitedandabused.6.Manymigrantworkersarehappy,notallemployersarebad!

Migrantworkerslikeeveryoneelsewanttobewiththeirfamilies,theywanttochangejobsthataredangerousormakingthemsick,theywanttobeabletogotoadoctorwhentheyaresick,theywanttotaketimeoffforvacations,theywanttobeabletonegotiatetheircontracts.TheseareverybasicrightsandCanadianlawsdenythem.Therearegoodemployerswhodobadthingsandbademployerswhodogoodthings.Attheendoftheday,theresponsibilityiswithfederalandprovincialgovernmentstopassbetterlawsandenforceexistinglaws.Weallneedtoworktogethertoensurethatmigrantworkershavepermanentimmigrationstatus,openworkpermitsandadecentlife.


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Tool3:MEETINGWITHYOURMPsAsample4-stepplantomeetyourMembersofParliament.MPswillbeintheirconstituenciesfromMay21toMay28.Rememberthesepriorities:

a. PermanentimmigrationstatusformigrantworkersinCanada,andpermanentimmigrationstatusfornewworkersarrivinginCanada

b. Openworkpermitsforallmigrantworkersc. Undoingtheharm:Stopthe4and4rule,removethecaps,allowcaregiverspermanentresidency

rights,andreverseHarper’sharmfulchanges.I.TheLetter/Email

StartofbywritinganemailtotheMPrequestingameeting.Seethe"Templateemailtorequestameeting"(Tool3A)thatyoucanuse.Lettersshouldbee-mailed,butcanalsobesentbymail,faxedorhand-delivered.SeeTool3BtoseewhichMPsareourpriorities–butpleasemeetwhicheverMPyoucan.II.TheTelephoneCall

FollowupwithatelephonecalltoyourMPtorequestameeting.Explainyourpurposeforthemeeting(totalktothemaboutreformsthatareneededtoimprovetheworkingandlivingconditionsoftemporaryforeignworkers),andmakesuretobeclearaboutwhowillbeattending.SeeTool3Cforasamplephonescript.WhenyouspeakonthephonetosomeoneinyourMP’soffice,youmaybepassedaroundorgetavoicemailmessage.BepersistentandmakesureyoucontinuetocalltillyouspeaktosomeonewhoiscapableofschedulingameetingwithyourMP.III.TheIn-PersonMeeting

Youshouldalwaysbringafamilymember,friendorcolleaguewithyoutothemeetingforsupportandtohaveasecondopiniononhowthemeetingwent.Havingasupportpersoncanhelpyouorganizeyourthoughtspriortothemeetingandassistyouinanyfollow-upworkthatneedstobedonetoachieveyourgoal.Perhapsmostimportantly,asupportpersoncanhelpyoutoremaincalmandrelaxedinanunfamiliarorintimidatingenvironment.WhenmeetingwithMPs,itisusefultohavesomeonewholivesinthatconstituencytobepresentinthemeeting.SeeTool3Dformoredetailsonhowtoprepareforandconductameetingwithyouraudience.IV.TheFollow-Up

Ifyouhadameeting,sendathankyoulettertothepeopleyoumetwith,andincludeanyfollow-upinformationthatyoupromisedtogather.Followupagaininacoupleweekstoseeiftherehasbeenanyprogressontheissue,includinganycommitmentsmadebybothyouandyouraudienceinyourmeeting.Continuetofollowupwithyouraudienceatregularintervalsforprogressreports.Bepersistent,butrespectful.


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Tool3A:Templateemailtorequestameeting

MPAddressTheHonourable(FullName),MPConstituencyOfficeFindyourMPathttp://bit.ly/mpbypostalcode

Salutation DearMinister,/DearMr./Ms.(Name)

Stateyourmainissue

IwouldliketomeetwithyoutodiscussTemporaryForeignWorkersinCanadainthecontextofareviewtakingplaceinParliamentrightnow.ForfartoolongmigrantworkershavebeendeniedequalrightsinCanada.It'stimeforurgentaction.Oureconomyneedstwoquickfixestoworkpermitrulestorelievepressureonmigrantworkers.TherearetwoeasystepstheFederalgovernmentcantakerightnowandthenmovetowardsbuildingasecureandpermanentimmigrationsystem.

Yourpersonalstoryandhowitconnects.

I/wehavebeenpersonallyaffectedbythisissueanditisamajorconcerninourregion(briefsummaryofyourpersonalexperiencewiththemainissue–hereyoushouldtalkabouthowyouareaffected)

Factssupportingyourconcern.

Low-wagedmigrantworkers(SeasonalAgriculturalWorkers,CaregiversandTemporaryForeignWorkers)arerestrictedtoonlyworkingforthespecificemployerlistedontheirworkpermit.Changingemployersisextremelydifficult.Thisallowsbadbossestolowersalariesandholdworkershostagetopoorworkingconditions.Manyliveinfeardeportationanddon’tspeakoutabuses.Thesepracticeslowerstandardsforeveryoneinthelabourmarket.

Specifyhowyouraudiencecanmakeadifference

It’stimeforthefederalgovernmentto(a)Untiepermitssoworkershavecanleaveemployerswhoexploitthem.(b)Removerestrictionsonmigrantworkersincludingthe4-in/4-outrulethatforcesmigrantworkerstoleaveCanadaafter4yearsoflivingandworkinginourcommunitiesandcapsonmigrantworkersabilitytochangejobsorapplyforpermanentresidency.

It’stimetoundoyearsofdamageandcommittorealchange.Followingthesefirsttwosteps,weneedtoensurepermanentimmigrationstatusonarrivalformigrantworkers.Weneedanimmigrationsystemthatvaluespeople,supportsfamiliesandrejectsdivisiveness.Thetimeforchangeisnow.

FinalremarksIlookforwardtomeetingwithyoutodiscussthesemattersfurther.AdetailedproposalfromCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadawillalsobesenttoyou.

Signoffandcontactinformation

SincerelyYourname,Phonenumberand/oremail


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Tool3B:PriorityMembersofParliamenttomeetTheHouseofCommonsStandingCommitteeonHumanResources,SkillsandSocialDevelopmentandtheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities(HUMA)iswherethereviewwilltakeplace.CurrentmembersofHUMA(asofMay6,2016)

Name Email Constituencyofficephonenumber Riding Party Role

BryanMay [email protected] 519-624-3517 Cambridge Liberal Chair

BobZimmer [email protected] 250-787-1192 PrinceGeorge — PeaceRiver — NorthernRockies

Conservative ViceChair

NikiAshton [email protected] 204-677-1333 Churchill — KeewatinookAski

NDP ViceChair

GérardDeltell [email protected] 418-842-5552 Louis-Saint-Laurent Conservative Member

WayneLong [email protected] 506-657-2500 SaintJohn — Rothesay Liberal Member

YvesRobillard [email protected] 450-622-2992 Marc-Aurèle-Fortin Liberal Member

DanRuimy [email protected] 604-466-2761 PittMeadows — MapleRidge

Liberal Member

RameshSangha [email protected]

(613)992-9105 BramptonCentre Liberal Member

FilomenaTassi [email protected] 905-529-5435 HamiltonWest — Ancaster — Dundas

Liberal Member

MarkWarawa [email protected] 604-534-5955 Langley — Aldergrove Conservative Member

Astheresponsibilityforthelawsgoverningmigrantworkerlivesextendsbetweenimmigrationandemployment,itisimportanttoalsobeincommunicationwiththeStandingCommitteeonCitizenshipandImmigration.ItscurrentmembersasofMay6,2016are:

Name Email ConstituencyOfficeNumber Riding Party Role

BorysWrzesnewskyj [email protected] 416-249-7322 EtobicokeCentre

Liberal Chair

DavidTilson [email protected] 519-941-1832 Dufferin — Caledon

Conservative ViceChair

JennyKwan [email protected] (604)775-5800 VancouverEast NDP ViceChair

ShaunChen [email protected] 416-321-2436 ScarboroughNorth Liberal Member

AliEhsassi [email protected] 416-223-2858 Willowdale Liberal Member

MichelleRempel [email protected] 403-216-7777 CalgaryNoseHill

Conservative Member


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RandeepSarai [email protected] 604-589-2441 SurreyCentre Liberal Member

BobSaroya [email protected] 905-470-2024 Markham — Unionville

Conservative Member

MarwanTabbara [email protected] 519-571-5509KitchenerSouth — Hespeler

Liberal Member

SalmaZahid [email protected] 416-752-2358 ScarboroughCentre

Liberal Member

MarkWarawa [email protected] 604-534-5955 Langley — Aldergrove

Conservative Member

MinistersandCriticsofImmigration&Employment(asofMay6,2016)

Name Role Email ConstituencyOfficeNumber Riding

MaryAnnMihychuk

MinisterofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabour

[email protected]

204-984-6322

Kildonan — St.Paul

RodgerCuzner

ParliamentarySecretarytotheMinisterofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabour

[email protected] 902-842-9763 CapeBreton — Canso

JohnMcCallum MinisterofImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenship [email protected] 905-479-8100 Markham —

Thornhill

ArifViraniParliamentarySecretarytotheMinisterofImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenship

[email protected] 416-769-5072 Parkdale — HighPark

GérardDeltell

ConservativePartyEmployment,WorkforceandLabourCritic

[email protected] 418-842-5552 Louis-Saint-Laurent

MichelleRempel

ConservativePartyImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenshipcritic

[email protected] 403-216-7777 CalgaryNoseHill

NikiAshton NDPEmployment,WorkforceandLabourCritic [email protected] 204-677-1333 Churchill —

KeewatinookAski

JennyKwan NDPImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenshipcritic [email protected] (604)775-5800 VancouverEast


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Tool3C:SamplephonecallguidetobookameetingFollowupyouremailwithaphonecall.Here’sascripttohelpyourorganizeyourthoughts.Remember:keepcallingtillyougetsomeoneonthephone.AndiftheyrefusetosetupameetingwiththeMP,pushforameetingwiththeirParliamentarystaff.Introduceyourself

Hello,mynameis_(yourname)_andIamcallingregardingtheupcomingTemporaryForeignWorkersreviewtakingplaceinParliamentrightnow.Identifyifyouareconstituentorifyouareamigrantworker,orhavedirectexperienceswiththeissue.

Explainwhyyouarecalling

I’dliketodiscussschedulingameetingwith___(MPName)___.IcaredeeplyaboutthetreatmentofmigrantworkersinCanadaandtheneedforthemtogetpermanentimmigrationstatusonlandingandIwouldliketodiscussthisissuewithhim/her.

Askforaresponse

Isthereatimethat__(MP)___isavailabletomeetbeforetheHouserises?OR,ifleavingamessage:

Pleaseletmeknowwhen___(MP)___isavailableinthenextfewweeks.Youcancontactmeby(phoneoremail).

SayThankYou

Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.Ilookforwardtothemeetingon__(Date/time)__(or)speakingto___(Name)___on___(Date/time)____.

Ifleavingamessage:

Ilookforwardtohearingbackfromyou.


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Tool3D:MeetingyourMPface-to-faceKnowhowlongthemeetingisscheduledforandmakeanagendathatisappropriatetothelengthofthemeeting.YoucanusetheStep-by-steptool.

• ReviewanyinformationaboutyourMP§ IsyourMPpartoftheHUMAcommittee?Aretheyamemberofthegovernment(Liberal)

orOpposition(Conservative,BQ,GreenorNDP)?Dotheyhaveaportfoliothatconnectstomigrantworkers?

• Reviewyourgoalandthebackgrounddocumentsattachedhere§ Yougoalistogetthemtounderstandtheneedforpermanentimmigrationstatus,and

openworkpermitsformigrantworkers.§ ReviewtheBackgrounder(Tool1)andFAQ(Tool2)

• Planontakingsomeonewithyouandmakesureyoudecidewheneachpersonwillspeak,leavingtimefortheMPandtheirstafftospeak

Beforeyourmeeting:• SendalongtheBackgrounder(Tool1)totheMPandbringthisinformationinprintedformtothe

meeting.YoucandownloadtheBackgrounderfromourwebsitewww.migrantrights.ca• Contactthepersonyouaremeetingwith1-2daysbeforeyourscheduledmeetingtoconfirm.

• Reviewtheagendathatwehavedevelopedbelow.

Atthemeeting:• Arriveatthemeeting10minutesearly• Bepassionateandrespectful,notargumentativeorconfrontational• Payattentiontobodylanguage-yoursandtheirs• Providespecificexampleswithspecificsolutions–readtheBackgrounderformore• Takenotes;thiscanbedonebythepersonaccompanyingyou• Leavethemwithanyappropriateinformationdocuments• Thankthemfortheirtimeandindicatewhenyouplantofollowup

Afteryourmeeting:• Sendathankyoulettertothepeopleyoumetwith,andincludeanyfollow-upinformationthatyou

promisedtogather.Pleaseccinfo@migrantrights.casoweknowthatyoumetthem.• Followupagainthefollowingweekstoseeiftherehasbeenanyprogressontheissue,including

anycommitmentsmadebybothyouandtheMPatyourmeeting• Continuetofollowupatregularintervalstoaskforprogressreports.


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Steps Whattosay

Step1Introductions Introduceyourselfandtheotherattendees

Step2Smalltalk-buildingtherelationship

TalkaboutsomethingyoumighthaveincommonwiththeMP,butwatchyourtime:-Didyoureadsomethingabouthim/herinthenewspaper?-Haveyouworkedinthesameindustry?Thisconversationwillhelpyougaugetheirmotivation.

Step3TalkaboutyourMPabouttheissue

-AcknowledgewhatyourMPhasdoneonissuesrelatedtoTemporaryForeignWorkersandthankthem.-MentionhowtheGreens,LiberalsandNDPhaveallpubliclycalledforsomeformofpermanentimmigrationstatus.

Step4Whatdoesyouraudienceknowaboutyourissue?

-Askyouraudiencewhattheyknowaboutmigrantworkers-ExplaintheinjusticesmigrantworkersarefacingoutlinedinthebackgrounderandtheFAQs.-Usestoriesasexamples

Step7–KEYASKWhatdoyouneed?

TellyourMPwhatyouneed:-Tellthemtoadvocateforchangesintheirpartyforopenworkpermits,andpermanentimmigrationstatusonlanding.

Step8Askforacommitment

WhatistheMPpreparedtodotohelp?Whatwilltheydonextandwhen?WhatcanyoudotohelptheMP–trytogetasspecificaspossible-AskthemtowritealetterandspeakdirectlytotheMinisterorCriticofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabourandImmigration,andencouragethemtoadvocateforpermanentresidencystatusonlanding,openworkpermitsandundoingrestrictionsonmigrantworkersasoutlinedintheBackgrounder.

Step9Sumupthemeeting

RemindyourMPaboutwhathe/shesaidshewoulddotohelpandwhen:-Acknowledgewhatyouhavecommittedtodoandthankthemfortheirtime.Bookanothermeetingifit’sappropriate.

Follow-upafterthemeeting

WriteabriefemailnotethankingtheMPandincludingwhatactionbothyouandyouraudiencehavepromisedtotakeandwhen-Follow-upifagreed-toactionsarenottakeninagreedtimes.-Letusknowwhathappens.


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Tool4:LettertotheEditor

Lotsofpeoplereadtheletterstotheeditor.Eveniftheyareshort,lettersareagoodwayofreachingthepublicwithyourissuesorconcerns.Theyareagoodwaytoencouragepeopletodiscussissuesandrespondtothem.

Tipsforwritingletterstotheeditor:

o Focusononeissue

o Thebesttimetowritealetteriswhenthereisanewsstoryaboutmigrantworkerissuesalreadyinthepapersbutrightnowweneedasmanystoriesaspossible

o Keepitshort–100-200wordsmaximum–checkyourlocalnewspaperfortheirwordlength.

o Usewordsandlanguagethatpeopleeasilyunderstand

o Makesureit’sclearwhyyouthinkthisisanimportantissue

o Signyournameandgiveyouraddressandacontacttelephonenumber

o Youcansendlettersbyemail

o Youcanfindthelettertoeditoremailaddressonthewebsiteofthenewspapers.Ifyou’rehavingtrouble,getintouchwithusandwewillworkwithyoutofindit.

SampleLetter

ManypeoplethinkthatthemainproblemwiththeTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram(TFWP)isthattherearetoomanyforeignworkerstakingjobsfromCanadians.Factistherearelessthan100,000migrantworkersand1.3millionunemployedcitizens.Blamingmigrantworkersforunemploymentisaredherring.

Therearerealproblems:Migrantworkersaretiedtotheiremployerandcan’tchangejobs.Theirfamiliescan’tvisitthem,andeventhosethathavecomebacktoCanadaforfortyyearscan’tliveherepermanently.ThepreviousgovernmentmadeitharderforCaregiverstogetpermanentresidenceandtookawaypaternitybenefitsfromagriculturalworkers.

RightnowthefederalgovernmentisreviewingtheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram.It’stimetomakethingsfair.Thatmeanspermanentimmigrationstatus,openworkpermitsandbasicdignityforall.Seewww.migrantrights.caformore.

FirstName,LastNameAddress,City,PostalCode,TelephoneNumber


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Tool5:OrganizingPublicEventsOnethingthatwecandoiscreatespacesforpublicconversation.Publiceventscanbeofvarioustypes.Theycanbedinnerdiscussions,panelsorworkshops,moviescreeningsorevenprotestandrallies.Beforeorganizingtheevent,answerthefollowingquestions.

• Whatisthegoaloftheevent?o Aneventmayhaveoneorsomeofthesegoals:

§ Raiseawareness§ Gatherpeoplefordiscussions§ Getpetitionsignatures§ Getintothemedia§ Pressurepoliticianstotakeaction

• Whenisagoodtime?

o Dependingonyourgoals,youmaywanttodoyoueventat12pm(lunchhour),or6pm(afterwork).

o Youmaywanttodoitonaweekend(whenperhapsmorepeoplecancome),oronaweekdayduringtheday(whendecisionmakersarelikelytobeintheiroffice).Ifyouaretryingtogetpetitionsignatures,thebesttimewouldbewhenpeoplemostlikelytosignthesignaturesareinthesameplace(forexampleataFarmer’sMarketoralocalcommunityevent)

• Where?o Dependingonyourgoals,herearesomepossiblelocations:

§ Library,universityorcommunityspace(forafilmscreeningorworkshop)§ Outsideafarmer’smarketorinamallwithalotofmigrantworkers(forpetition

signaturesandflyering)§ OutsideagovernmentbuildingoranMPoffice(ifyouareorganizingamediaevent)

• Whoneedstobeinvolved?

o Canyoupartnerwithacommunityorganizationoraunionlocalorsettlementagencyinthearea?Aretheremigrantworkergroupsthatcanbepartofyoureffort?Canyouconnectthisissuetoenvironmental,foodsustainabilityorothersocialjusticeorganizations?

o Itisbesttoorganizeincoalitionsandwithgroupsthatcansupportyou.


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Tool5A:OrganizingapubliceventHereisastep-by-stepguidetoorganizingevents3WEEKSBEFORETHEEVENT

• Selectadateandtimeforevent• Selectavenuefortheevent.Youcanplanamovienight,orpanelorworkshopinyourownhome.

Itseasy,andit’sagreatwaytogatheryourfriendsandfamilytogether.Ifyou’dliketogetmoremembersofyourcommunityinvolved,thinkaboutaskingalocalschool,communitycenter,church,movietheater,unionhall,bookstoreorconcertvenuetoletyouholdtheevent.Ifyouaredoingamediaaction,youmayconsiderdoingitoutsideagovernmentbuilding.

• Reachouttoorganizationsinyourcommunitythatmaybeinterestedinsupporting,co-sponsoringorattending.

• Drawupalistofpotentialguests.Remembertoover-inviteasnoteveryonewillbeabletoattend.• Decidewhowillbespeaking–thiscouldbealocalmigrantworkerorganization,orcommunity

activistversedintheissues,aswellassupportersfromdifferenttypesoforganizationswhoaretheretosupportyourask.

• Getintouchwithusandletusknowyouareorganizinganevent.

TWOWEEKSBEFORETHEEVENT

• Confirmthelocationandtimeofyourevent.• Makesureyouhavealltheequipmentyouneed:audiovisualequipment,banners,placards,

posters,petitionsandflyers(getintouchwithusandwewillemailyouobjectsyoucanprint).• Iftheeventisinacommunityspacemakesureyoucanserverefreshmentsthereandorganize

refreshments.• Confirmthespeakersandthefacilitatorsattheevent.• Sendoutanemailinvitationtofamily,friends,grouplistservesand/orotherconcernedactivists.

TrytogetanRSVPsoyouknowhowmanypeopletoexpect.Getintouchwithusifyouwantsamplelanguagetouse.

• Ifyouaredoingacommunity-wideevent,lookintopostingtheannouncementoncommunityeventwebsites,IndyMediawebsites,Craigslist,localpapersorasklocalgroupstoadvertiseontheirwebsite/listserve.Startafacebookeventpage,butmakesureyouarerelyingonmethodsotherthanjustsocialmedia.Youcanreferpeopletothewebsitewww.migrantrights.caformoreinformation.

• Ifyoureventispublic,fillintheblankatthebottomoftheposterswe’llsendyouwiththedate,timeandlocationofyourevent,andputthemuparoundtownoncommunitybulletinboards,coffeeshops,storefronts(makesuretoaskpermission)andoutdoorspaces.

• Ifyouwouldlikemediaattheevent,followthestepstogettingmedia(Tool5B)


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ONEWEEKBEFORETHEEVENT

• Sendoutareminderemailtoyourguests.• Ifyouaretryingtogetmedia,sendoutamediarelease.SeeTool5B.IIforhowtodraftone.• OneortwodaysbeforetheeventcallpeoplewhoRSVPedtoconfirmthatthey’llattendandsend

outareminderemailaboutthemovienight.Includeamaplinkordirectionstothelocationifnecessary.

• Lookoverthefactsheetsandbackgrounderinthispackage.DAYOF

• Makesuretohavebrochures,factsheets,andthepetitionvisibleandreadilyavailable–youcandownloadthematwww.migrantrights.ca

• Ifyouareplanningtoinvitethemedia,makesureyoucalltheminthemorning,seeTool5B.III.• Introducepeopletoeachotheratthestartifyoucan.• Ifit’sapublicevent,inviteyourspeakersandhavethemspeakoneatatime.Ifyouaregetting

petitionsignatures,discussthekeytalkingpoints(fromtheBackgrounderandFAQ)witheveryoneanddistributecopiesofthepetition.Ifyouareshowingafilm,playthefilm.

• Takesomepictures!IfyouareusingTwitterorFacebookuse#StatusOnArrivaland#MigrantRightsCA

• Don’tforgettoaskallattendantstosignthepetitionbeforetheyleave!FOLLOW-UP

• Sendusanemailandletusknowhowitwent.• Mailusacopyofyoursignedpetitionorscanandemailthemtous.• Emailusyourpicturesoftheeventsowecanpostthemonourwebsite.• Sendoutathankyouemailtoallthosewhoattended.


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TOOL5B:GettingmediacoverageGettingyourlocalmediacoverageisacriticalstrategyforanycampaign.WhetherthestoryiscoverageofyourMPdelegationvisitoryourpubliceducationevent,orgettingamoregeneralstoryaboutthechangesmigrantworkersneed,usingthemediaisanimportantforumtogetyourmessageout.Again,ifyouneedhelpwithyourmediawork,giveusacall.I.GettingaStoryinYourLocalMediaHerearesometipsforhowtogetyourlocalmediainterested:

• Ifyoudon’tknowwhichmediaoutletsserveyourlocalcommunity,getintouchwithusandwewillhelpyougeneratealist.

• Dosomeresearchtoseewhichparticularjournalistshavecoveredtheissuepreviously.Forexample,lookatnewsarchivesoruseGoogletofindoutwhohasreportedonthisissue.Reporterswhohavecoveredthisissuemaybelookingtoincludeyourviewpointsinanotherstory.

• Contactlocalmediatoseeifthereisareporterthatcoverssocialorsocialjusticeissues.Alsodeveloprelationswithethnic/alternativeandonlinenewsservices.

• Sendthemamediarelasebeforetheevent.• Usethebackgrounder(Tool1)tohelpeducatelocalmediaonwhythisissueisimportanttothe

community.Iftheyunderstandtheissueproperlychancesaretheywillbeabletoconveyyourmessagetothegeneralpublic.

• Evenmediaoutletsthataregenerallynotsympatheticontheseissuesmayhavejournalistswhomayprovidefavourablecoverage.Don’tcountthemout.

• Evenifyourstorydoesnotgetreported,don’tgiveup.Thereportermayhavesubmittedthestorybutitdidn’tgetaccepted.Itmightgetpickeduplater.Keepdevelopingyourrelationshipwiththem.Weareinthisforthelonghaul.

• Mediaoutletsaregoingtoasktointerviewmigrantworkers.Thisshouldbehandledcarefully.Beforeyouapproachthemediatocoveryourstory,workwithyourcoalitiontoseeifsomeoneisinterestedinactingasamediaspokesperson.Andworkwiththemtomakesurethattheyarewellprepared.Discusstheimpactsonthebroadermigrantworkersandmakesuretheyarepreparedtotalkaboutourcampaignobjectives.Iftheywanttoremainanonymous,makesuretheyunderstandthattheiranonymitymaynotbeguaranteedbutworkcloselywiththemediatoensurethattheyrespecttherequestforanonymity.Or,iftheyareOKwithnotbeinganonymous,makesurethattheyunderstandthattheirnameorpicturemayappearinthelocalmedia.

• Takestepstomakesurethatmediaspokespeopledonotgettokenized:theirroleisnottosimplytelltheir‘sadstory’buttoensurethattheycanalsospelloutwhatlawsneedstochange.Asorganizers,ourroleiscriticaltoensurethatmediarelationsaremanagedandthatthoseimpacteddonotbecomevilifiedorthefocusofcommunityresentment.Workwithyourmediaspokespeopleandothersinyourcoalitiontodevelopachecklisttotroubleshootconcernsthatmayarise–suchashowtoprotectanonymityandwhattodoifthereisabacklash.

• Ifthereisnomigrantworkerwillingtospeak,letthemediaknowthisbutofferyourselforyourlocalcoalition’sdesignatedspokespersontosharemoregeneralizedexperiencesandimpacts,andtotalkaboutwhyit’simportantthatmigrantworkersgetpermanentresidentstatus,openworkpermitsandanendtoHarpereraharms.


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II.HowtoWriteaMediaReleaseAmediareleaseshouldgivereporters,editors,andproducersawrittendocumentaboutanissueorevent,sothattheywillwriteastoryorproduceashowaboutthatissueorevent.Itshouldgivejournaliststhebasicsoftheissue–the“who,what,where,when,andwhy”-allowingthemtofollowupforamoredetailedarticle.Butitshouldalsobewrittenasthoughitisanewspaperarticleitself–somenewspapers,especiallyinsmallercommunities,willpublishanentiremediareleaseverbatim,ifit’swrittenintherightway.Makesurethereleaseiswritteninawaythatcatchesattention.Getintouchwithusandwewillhelp.Format–Whatshouldamediareleaselooklike?Allmediareleasesfollowaspecificformat.Thismakesiteasierforjournaliststounderstandyourstory.

• Getintouchwithusandwewillprovideyouwithareleaseyoucanuse.• Keepitconcise.Besurethewholereleasefitsonone-twopages!• Putyourgroupororganization’slogoorletterheadatthetop.• Indicatethedatethatyou’reissuingtherelease.• Theheadline/titlegoesnext.Itshouldbecenteredonthepageandinboldtype.• Nextisthebodyoftherelease.• Whenthebodyisfinished,type”###”inaseparate,centeredlineatthebottom.Thistells

journaliststhatit’stheendofyourmediarelease.• Ifyou’reprovidingbackgroundinformationasanattachment,write“Backgroundinformation

attached”atthebottom.• Makesuretoincludeacontactnameandphonenumbers(twitteroremailifyouhaveit)so

journalistscangetcontactyouformoreinformation.Andmakesuretocheckyourvoicemail,andemailwhenyousharetheinformation!

Forsamplespressreleases,see:http://migrantrights.ca/en/press/Content–Whatshouldthemediareleasesay?TheHeadline:Aheadlineshouldbecatchyenoughtogettheattentionofthejournalistsothattheyreadthewholemediareleaseand,hopefully,coveryourstory.Itshouldalsobeshortandsuccinct–nomorethan10words.Butitshouldalsostatetheexactreasonfortherelease.TheBody:Keepthebodyofyourmediareleaseshort-aboutfourorfiveshortparagraphs,withnomorethanfoursentencesperparagraph.Thefirstparagraphshouldstatethe“who,what,where,when,andwhy”oftheissueorevent.Useittogettothepointasquicklyaspossible–don’tleavetheimportantinformationfortheendofthemediarelease–putitinthefirstparagraph.

• So,insteadof:OnJuly6,theDirectoroftheLocalCommunityInformationCentreannouncedthathergroupwillbehostinganeventonchangesneededformigrantworkers

• Write:Humanandlabourrightsformigrantworkersneedtobecentraltochange,saysBarbSmith,theDirectoroftheLocalCommunityInformationCentre.


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Therestofthebodyshouldgivemoredetails,explaintheissueorevent,andemphasizeyourkeypoints.Thinkofyourmediareleaseasatriangle,withthemostimportantinformationatthetopandlessimportantinformationatthebottom.Usingaquoteinthesecondparagraphaddslocalflavorandallowsyoutostateyourgroupororganization’sopinionaboutyourissuerightoffthetop.Quoteyourself,someonewhoisgoingtobeimpacted,orsomeothermemberofyourgroup.Interspersestatisticsandquotesintothemediareleasetosupportyourkeypoints.Makesurethatanyinformationyouprovideisclear,complete,andaccurate.Providesourcesforstatisticsandnamesandtitlesforpeopleyouquote.Keepthetonerelativelyformal,butconversationalandinformative.WheretosendthemediareleaseThinkaboutwhichnewspapers,radiostations,orothermediaoutletsyouwanttocoveryourissueorevent,andtargetyourmediareleasetothem.Sendbyemail:

• theeditorofthenewspaperorareporterwhocoverstheseissues;• theproducersoflocalradiotalkorcall-inshows;and/or• thenewsdepartmentoftheradiostation.

Pitch-callaftersendingthemediareleaseFollowupyouremailwithafriendlyphonecalltoencouragethemediatocoveryourstory.Makesureyoucallonthemorningofyourevent.Hereisasamplescriptyoucanuse.

• Introduceyourself:Goodmorningmynameis___• Tellthemwhyyouarecalling:Iamfollowinguptoseeifyoureceivedamediareleaseabouta

(publicdemonstration/pressconference/event)thatIamhelpingtoorganizearoundtheissueoftemporaryforeignworkersinourcommunity.

• Confirmtheygotthereleaseandifnotsendittothem:Didyoureceivethemediarelease,andareyousendingsomeonetocoverourevent?Ifyouhavenotreceivedthemediarelease,isthereane-mailIcanresenditto(beonyourcomputerandsenditrightthen–askthemiftheyhavereceivedit)

• Tellthemwhyitwillbeagreatstory:ThereisatemporaryforeignworkerreviewtakingplaceinOttawarightnowandthiseventbringsthatconversationhome.Itissomethingweallcareaboutandyourreaders/viewerswillbereallyinterested.

• Iftheysaytheycan’tattend:Ifyouarenotabletosendsomeonetocovertheeventtoday,canIfollowupbysendingashortsummaryandphotos,audioandvideoofwhattranspired?

• Thankthe:Thankyoukindly!

ending migrant worker exploitationb. to organize your own, contact [email protected] and read...

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