Unscrupulous landlords and employers can prey on vulnerable immigrants.

Shadae Henriques
Kicker News
According to the federal government, Canada will welcome 430,000 to 542,500 new permanent residents in 2024 and 442,500 to 550,000 in 2025.
Canada attracts many people of diverse cultures with the common goal of a brighter future.
For many, the task of reviewing the lengthy and ever-changing immigration policies can be daunting, that is why it is important for immigrants to know their legal rights.
By not being well-informed of their rights, immigrants are vulnerable. Unscrupulous individuals are often willing to take advantage of their ignorance.
Unsavory characters such as shady landlords or abusive employers exploit the fact some immigrants are afraid to speak out because they fear losing their immigration status.
Maria Mulcahy is the project co-ordinator of newcomer’s legal rights with the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mulcahy recalls instances of hearing about employers threatening, or intimidating, immigrants by withholding passport or travel documents.
Some immigrants related stories that if they quit their jobs, says Mulcahy, the employer threatened to cancel that work permit.
That’s incorrect, she said. Employers can’t cancel work permits.
“If you’re in a bad employment situation and you leave it, as long as your work permit is still valid, as long as you’ve been following the conditions of your work permit, it is a status document for you to stay legally in Canada,” said Mulcahy, who is located in St. John’s.
Applying for a work permit for vulnerable workers is an option for those trying to get away from an abusive employer.
In terms of breaking a lease or getting a damage security deposit back on a rental property, Mulcahy says that’s also a big issue.
“That’s another area where we see folks really needing that information, and help navigating those systems in order to settle here in a safe and inclusive way,” said Mulcahy.
The Association for New Canadians, and the Young Women’s Christian Association are all safe spaces that provide confidential support and resources to help newcomers in Canada.
Immigration consultants are an unregulated practice, she says. Some immigrants pay thousands of dollars without seeing any results.
Immigration is a very complex area of the law, she says, so it is important to talk to an immigration lawyer.

Immigration lawyer Emmanuel Oyesomi immigrated from Nigeria.
“Immigrants should understand that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom that governs the rights of citizens in Canada is not only for the citizens but for everyone residing in Canada,” said Oyesomi.
“Immigrants should understand that no one can victimize you for speaking up.”
Some lawyers even offer free consultations.
Immigrants can stay informed of their legal rights by having open discussions, sharing their experiences and warning others of potential issues.
“In the coming periods, I personally plan with some of my colleagues to do more symposiums, public lectures trying to educate people about what their rights are and how to be able to claim their rights,” Oyesomi.
Be the first to comment