At its 18th National Convention held in Toronto in March, the People’s Front/East Indian Defense Committee passed a resolution condemning the imposition of a “head tax” on immigrants and refugees and demanded that it be immediately revoked. The People’s Fron/EIDC is organizing a Public Forum in Toronto on June 17 to discuss this matter and take further: action against it.

The head tax, called a “right of landing fee,” was introduced by the federal government on February 27 through its budget. It demands that any adult person applying to become a permanent resident of Canada, by the refugee or immigrant, has to pay a fee of $975.00 on top of the already existing “processing fee” of $500.00. This tax is an act of both racist and social discrimination. By its very nature it targets the most vulnerable who can least afford to pay. This not only includes the people who hail from Asia Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, but also the refugees who have already suffered every possible trauma and own nothing, It also discriminates against families both within Canada and abroad who cannot afford to pay Along with the recent measure taken by the federal government to end the “family reunion” category of immigration, it is a broad attack on the rights of all ‘Canadians. Hardial Bains, a national leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) and President of the People’s Front/EIDC, will deliver the keynote speech, followed by other presentations and discussion. All

those who want to address the public forum on this important question are invited to conduct the Organizing Committee. The People’s Front/EIDC calls on everyone, particularly workers, women youth and people of national minority origin and their organizations to take a stand on this issue. Participate in the Public Forum, at which time further actions to oppose the head tax will be discussed.

For more information, write the Organizing Committee at: P.O. Box 48523, 3605 Lakeshore Blvd. West, Etobicoke, ON M8W IP5, or contact us by phone or fax at 9054557285.

Taking a bold step together in defense of the rights of all.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 16, 1995