Please join us for our spring forum, a biannual networking and information sharing event. The forum’s morning panel will present individuals’ and front line workers’ struggles and strategies to gain access to City of Toronto services for people without immigration status. The afternoon panel will discuss a variety of approaches and strategies on status regularization for people with no legal immigration status. We welcome your questions for all our panellists in open Q&A sessions at the end of each panel and invite you to network over a delicious lunch break.

9:30 to 10:00 Registration and Networking

10:00 to 12:30 Panel on Sanctuary City Toronto with speakers from Research Institutions, City Officials, and Social Service Organizations

Dr. Graham Hudson (Ryerson University) -Sanctuary City Report on Toronto and access to services

Adam Orfanakos (City of Toronto Ombuds office)- looking for feedback on whether city services are accessible to people without immigration status

Laverne Blake (Ernestine's Shelter) - access to city services for women without immigration status leaving abusive situations

Yodit Edemarian (Rexdale Community Legal Clinic) & Marie Chen (Income Security Advocacy Centre)- access for people without immigration status for Ontario Works & Advocacy

Martha Hernandez (Four Villages Community Health Centre)- advocacy strategies for workers trying to access city services for service users without immigration status.

12:30 to 1:30 Lunch & Networking

1:30 to 3:30 Panel on The Future of Regularization with speakers from Refugee, Legal, and Grassroots Advocates

Cornelia Mazgarean (Community and Legal Aid Services Program)

Francisco Rico (FCJ Refugee Centre)

Nisha Toomey (No One Is Illegal- Toronto)

3:30 to 4:00 Wrap Up and Discussion

Suggested Donation (for operational costs) to be paid in cash at the door. A receipt can be provided.

• Non-Students: $5-10

• Students are free. Please bring your student I.D.

Please RSVP by Friday May 19th as spaces are limited ~ Thank You!

Thank you to Migrant Mothers Project, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, FCJ Refugee Centre, Springtide Resources and Race, Gender, and Violence -LFO leadership fellow, who have generously supported this symposium.

~ Space is fully wheelchair accessible. Please let us know of any accessibility needs in advance so that we can do our best to accommodate them.

*The event will be held at the University of Toronto and the closest subway station is St George*

Please bring materials from your agency to display on our resource table

Use the hashtag #nonstatusTO to live-tweet and follow the discussion on twitter!