Surrey health-care workers demand immigration justice

Health-care workers in Surrey are mobilizing for a rally on Thursday to protest recent cuts to the federal immigration policy that threaten their opportunities for permanent residency. The B. C. government announced that the likelihood of new applications for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has dropped drastically, allowing only 1,100 new nominations for health professionals and entrepreneurs. This drastic reduction from the desired 11,000 slots has raised alarms among the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), which argues that the province cannot afford to lose essential health-care workers amid ongoing staffing shortages.

Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Anne Kang, has acknowledged these concerns and expressed commitment to advocating for the restoration of PNP nomination allocations. The union emphasizes that many affected roles, such as housekeepers and dietary aides, are vital for the smooth operation of health services. The rally aims to highlight the need for a fair pathway to permanent residency for these workers. HEU has over 60,000 members in the province, underscoring the significant impact of these cuts. The protest is scheduled for 11 a.

m. at King George Boulevard and will proceed without disrupting hospital operations.