Edmonton services accessible without fear
All Edmontonians, whether they are a citizen or not, could soon be able to access basic services — like applying for a low-income bus pass or a recreation centre pass — without fear.
According to city administration, undocumented individuals living in Edmonton don’t often access basic services because they fear deportation.
[Last] Wednesday, the community and public services committee moved a policy called the Access Without Fear to Municipal Services forward to council.
The policy states that Edmontonians, whether documented or not, do not need to produce certain documents, such as a driver’s licence, as proof of residency when accessing city services.
“It’s a symbolic gesture,” said Erick Ambtman, executive director for Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.
“It sends a message that this is who we are as a community, that people here for various reasons have lost their immigration status for various reasons and we are not going to put unnecessary, excessive stress on them as they figure out how to kind of land permanently.”
Although the majority of municipal services can be accessed without showing residency documentation, city administration found that five areas did require the use of a driver’s licence or other documents to show proof of residence.
The areas include the Ride Transit Program to access low-income bus passes, the Leisure Access Program for recreation centre passes, interactions with community peace officers, getting licensed by the city to drive taxis or other vehicles for hire, and getting licensed by the city to operate adult-oriented businesses, such as an escort service or a massage parlour.
Councillor Scott McKeen applauded the policy and said it aligns with Edmonton’s reputation as a friendly city.
“This is a very passionate city and a very welcoming city,” he said.
“We didn’t give amnesty, we don’t have that authority. We said, you are stuck in a fearful situation in Edmonton. As far as services Edmonton provides, we will work with our front-line workers to make sure there is no heavy-handedness as far as asking for identification.”
Ambtman said the majority of undocumented cases happen because people who had entered the country through temporary work visas or permits have them revoked when they reapply.
He added that although some may head back to their home countries, the majority decide to stay for a number of reasons — such as a “dangerous” situation back home, or because they have started families here.
“They are generally trying to figure out what to do, how to stay here permanently and while they are figuring that out, they can’t access any kind of service,” he said
He said undocumented individuals cannot look for traditional means of work because that requires paying taxes, which risks alerting them to border services.
Although this policy doesn’t make Edmonton a sanctuary city yet, Ambtman says it’s a step in the right direction.
A sanctuary city enforces laws that forbid police officers from reporting undocumented people to border services.
The policy will move forward to city council for final approval.