(The following article is from the April 16-30, 2009, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

People's Voice Editorial

The ruling class attempt to scapegoat migrants for the economic crisis is clearly behind the latest workplace raids in Ontario. No One Is Illegal reports that over one hundred migrant and non‑status workers have been picked up in large‑scale workplace enforcement actions, mainly in the Greater Toronto Area district. The mainstream media has said little about this operation.

     On April 2, the Canada Border Services Agency launched US-style raids in East Toronto, Leamington, and Bradford/Simcoe County, arresting and handcuffing migrant workers, placing them on GO buses, and eventually moving them to detention centres. The Agency even followed workers to their homes in the GTA and surrounding areas. In Leamington, eight agricultural workers were arrested while travelling with a contractor to the farm where they work. Over a dozen agricultural workers were arrested in East Toronto on the Danforth, some from their homes.

     The real criminals in this situation are the bosses who aim to reap higher profits by hiring non-status workers. Instead of providing services for workers in need, the Tory tactic is to waste taxpayer dollars on arresting and detaining non-status workers. The Harper Tories, especially Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, are determined to whip up racist and fascist hysteria with such actions. This is the same government which launched major workplace raids in June 2008, terrorizing migrant communities which are simply trying to survive and support their families. Jason Kenney is directing his racist venom against immigrants who are less than fully fluent in English or French, or who lack so-called "Canadian values."

     The response to these attacks must be stronger working class unity. The slogan, "in injury to one is an injury to all" remains as true today as ever. The entire labour movement and all democratic forces should join in condemning the CBSA raids.