The 22 members of FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus issued the following joint statement reaffirming their commitment to welcoming refugees and other newcomers to their communities.
The strength of Canada's cities lies in the diversity of our residents.
Those residents come from every part of the globe, seeking a decent quality of life, and sometimes safe harbour. As mayors, we understand that newcomers strengthen our economies with vital skills and capacity for innovation, and they enrich our communities with fresh perspectives and approaches to shared challenges.
Immigrants and refugees deserve equal treatment under the law and the same opportunities as any other Canadian. Exclusion of anyone based on their nationality or faith is unacceptable. On behalf of the millions we serve, we stand together against all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Canada's cities continuously strive to be welcoming communities. We are committed to diversity and oppose all forms of discrimination — both because our values compel us, and because Canada's future prosperity depends on it.
To read more about how Canadian cities and communities are actively welcoming refugees, check out the Welcoming Communities toolkit.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of municipal government, with nearly 2,000 members representing 91 per cent of the Canadian population. Its Big City Mayors' Caucus convenes 22 large Canadian cities from coast to coast.
Information
Michael FitzPatrick, Media Relations: mfitzpatrick@fcm.ca or 613 907 6346.