Chapter 12: Precarious status families’ access to early childhood services in a sanctuary city: The case of Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Canada is signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which proclaims that all children, regardless of family legal status, are entitled to basic public services. Many migrant families, however, cannot access such services. We analyse systematic exclusions faced by precarious status families (PSFs). These include at least one member, parent or child, without permanent immigration status. In this literature review, we examine such exclusionary processes in Toronto, where the Access TO policy aims to promote access without fear of deportation. Our main questions are: What are the effects on PSFs of this tension between universal versus limited rights? How does this tension affect actual access to services for children in PSFs? Focusing on childbirth, childcare, and parenting programmes, we found that, despite access goals, in practice, children are often deprived of services because of their parents’ status. We discuss reasons for shortcomings in actual access.

From the book "Urban Migrant Inclusion and Refugee Protection - Volume 2: Global Perspectives of Sanctuary, Solidarity, and Hospitality"