Conservatives must stop targeting Filipino community in Canada, says NDP

Filipinos in a Toronto park. Photo by ValeStock / Shutterstock.com

OTTAWA –The NDP is calling on Ministers Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander to stop their attacks on the Filipino-Canadian community after hinting at dramatically altering aspects of the Live-in Caregivers Program (LCP).

“The Ministers’ disparaging comments about alleged abuse in the program are unacceptable,” said NDP Citizenship and Immigration Critic Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe. “90% of applicants for the LCP are of Filipino descent.  By keeping live-in caregivers and their families guessing about the future of the program, this government is blatantly undermining and disrespecting the decades of contributions Filipino-Canadians made to this country.”

Community groups, according to Blanchette-Lamothe, have been meeting with her and expressing their deep concerns and fear about the Conservatives potentially axing the program altogether.

“New Democrats recognize the tremendous contributions of immigrants in building our country.” added Blanchette-Lamothe. “Those who work hard and play by the rules, here in Canada, should have a shot at permanent residency and citizenship.”