Protesters gather as Immigration Minister honoured
Posted November 4, 2012 6:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
About 300 protesters gathered outside the Royal York Hotel where Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was receiving an honorary degree from Haifa University in Israel.
The group was marching in protest of the Conservative government’s immigration policy, which they call “stringent and unfair.”
Protesters carried images of people who, they say, have lost their lives because of Canada’s immigration policies.
The protest began around 4 p.m. in David Pecaut Square at King Street West and John Street, and included members of various groups including No One is Illegal, the Centre for Social Justice and Common Cause Toronto.
Protesters marched through the downtown core before heading to the Royal York. The group chanted “Shame, shame on Kenney” as others banged drums on Front Street.
“We’re basically here to honour those we think should be honoured, including the 13,000 people who are deported every year under this government,” protester Kareen Baqi told CityNews.
“I can understand some disagreements on some of what we’re doing but fundamentally, I think that we are reflecting a broad public consensus in favour of positive immigration, refugee protection but also ensuring that our system is based on fare rules and that people aren’t abusing Canada’s generosity,” Minister Kenney explained.
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae and Israel’s ambassador to Canada Miriam Ziv attended the honour for Kenney.
