In the face of the ongoing wildfire crisis in British Columbia, the Centre for Family Equity joins the call of the Migrant Workers Centre to address the urgent challenges faced by migrant workers in the region. We have penned a letter to the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, expressing our concerns and advocating for crucial support measures.

With a staggering 380 active wildfires impacting various parts of British Columbia, including the severely affected Okanagan Valley, migrant workers have been disproportionately affected. Displacement and job loss have become stark realities for many, prompting us to take swift action in order to alleviate their hardships. The letter, following one originally drafted by the Migrant Workers Centre, calls for the immediate issuance of emergency open work permits to the affected migrant workers. These permits would empower them to seek alternative employment, thus helping to maintain their financial stability during these challenging times.