(No) Access T.O.: A Pilot Study on Sanctuary City Policy in Toronto, Canada

Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement Working Paper Series, 2017/1

39 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2017 Last revised: 9 Feb 2017

See all articles by Graham Hudson

Graham Hudson

Ryerson University

Idil Atak

affiliation not provided to SSRN

michele Manocchi

Independent

Charity-Ann Hannan

Ryerson University

Date Written: November 10, 2016

Abstract

The “Sanctuary City” movement is a grassroots, human rights-based response to increased numbers of non-status migrants living and working in global cities. This paper shares the results of a one-year pilot study on Sanctuary City policy in Toronto, Canada. Styled Access T.O., Toronto's Sanctuary City policy is meant to provide non-status residents access to municipal and police services without fear of being detained or deported. Recent reports indicate that the policy is faltering. Based on interviews with city staff and politicians, Community Service Organizations, NGOs, professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers), and non-status migrants, we identify barriers to the implementation of the policy. We argue that Access T.O. will fail unless City Council provides the funding and mandate for: more comprehensive training tailored to specific City Divisions, dedicated Access T.O. portfolios within many (if not all) City Divisions, “service integration” geared towards better community engagement and capacity-building, and revisiting the City’s position on the collection and protection of demographic data.

Suggested Citation

Hudson, Graham and Atak, Idil and Manocchi, michele and Hannan, Charity-Ann, (No) Access T.O.: A Pilot Study on Sanctuary City Policy in Toronto, Canada (November 10, 2016). Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement Working Paper Series, 2017/1, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2897016 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2897016

Graham Hudson (Contact Author)

Ryerson University ( email )

350 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
Canada

Idil Atak

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Michele Manocchi

Independent ( email )

Charity-Ann Hannan

Ryerson University ( email )

350 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
Canada

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