Volume XXVII, No. 5 May 2009 www.filipinostar.org Filipino community wants live-in caregivers program improved The serious allegations of abuses by a Liberal MP, Ruby Dhalla, touched a sensitive chord among Filipino-Canadians everywhere. This case has reinforced what has long been a common knowledge that live-in caregivers are exploited, underpaid, and abused. Although there are some good employers, they are not the majority. The problem has always been a concern but it seems that government policies do not change without active lobbying by the community. Almost at the same time that this high profile case hit the newspaper headlines, there was already a proposed consultation meeting with the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship & Multiculturalism, Honorable Jason Kenney, scheduled by the end of May which was the result of prior meetings held with him in the past when he was holding the position of Secretary of A group was formed to work on immigration issues, focusing on the live-in caregivers program. to prepare for a consultation meeting with the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Hon. Jason Kenney, on May 30, 2009. From left: Tess Tessalona, Riza Esmeralda, Au See Page 4 Live-in Caregivers Osdon, Julie Parado, Angie Ogerio, Joan Junio, Evelyn Calugay, and Zenaida Kharroubi. Not in photo: Annie Miaral and Grace Yip. (5/15/09) City renewal plan on Victoria to benefit local businesses Montreal, April 30, 2009 - Marvin Rotrand and Saulie Zajdel, Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de- Grace borough councillors, today officially launched the concrete Contents improvements to be made to avenue Victoria in 2009, under the renewal plan Cooperative News . p. 3 announced last year. Work on the commercial Tourism . p. 6 section of avenue Victoria will include upgrading a water main, along with an Philippine Cuisine . p. 11 estimated $2.9M in investment to completely rebuild the road surface Filstar Photo Gallery . p. 12 and repair parts of the sidewalks between boulevard Edouard-Montpetit Community News. p. 15 and rue Jean-Talon Ouest. About forty trees will also be planted along the street, to add some more greenery to Jerry Estrada Column . p. 16 the neighborhood. Individual meetings will be held with all merchants along Ask The Video Guy . p. 17 avenue Victoria, to invite them to take advantage of the renovation subsidies Showbiz Gossip . p. 18 A brief ceremony was held on April 30, 2009 in front of a local restaurant to announce the for their business façades available start of the renewal project. Photo shows Councilor Marvin Rotrand speaking about it while under the success@montréalprogram - Classified Ads . p. 21 Councilor Saulie Sajdel waits for his turn and others listen like Flor Rillo, Riza Esmeralda, Manny Lagasca, Annie Miaral, and other invited guests. See Page 4 Victoria Ave. HIGHLIGHTS 6210 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC (cor. Van Horne) Telephone: 514-731-8881 From head to toe ..... beauty and care! •Hair Cut, Set, Cclouring •Make up •Manicure •Facial & Skin Treatment •Body Massage •Foot Spa/Pedicure 2 The North American Filipino Star May 2009 Minister to underscore the significance increasing. We have heard of the high of the reforms we are proposing. It is drop out rate of our youth, the not only the caregivers themselves delinquency of our children, and the EDITORIAL who will benefit from the reforms we unspoken problem of drug addiction have recommended. It will benefit the that most of us do not even know It’s about time to do something about abuses whole Canadian society for it will about unless we talk to social workers resolve the issues of inequality due to and police officers. If the government The live-in caregiver program insensitive to others suffering have said race, gender or age. The temporary listens to the expert opinions contained does provide opportunities for women, that they can always go home if they work permit system endows employers in various studies and reports, we will and it does allow Canada to bring in do not like the conditions of their and employment agencies with partly solve the source of some of our much-needed workers. But could it employment. But is this a fair thing to extraordinary influence over the problems. It is not enough to look at also be contributing to a race-based say? The fact remains that it is the worker’s destiny. This is because the the vested interests of one group, but it class hierarchy? an editorial writer responsibility of fair minded people to work permit must specify the name of helps to make a better decision if all asks. Perhaps, there is no simple do something about the systemic the employer in whose household the groups are fairly represented. PINAY, answer to this question for it cannot racism built in the program which worker must not only work but also live the main presenter during the just be debated from a philosophical allows employers to control the life of in. In effect, the continuity of the LCP conference with the Minister, will make point of view but also from practical foreign workers whose services they worker’s valid status in Canada is most of the recommendations to and basic economic realities. badly need at a cheap labour cost. dependent on the employer’s improve the Live-in Caregiver Program. Caregivers are part of the burgeoning Most employers realize that they are willingness to continue her This organization has been constantly overseas workers industry that able to carry on with their profession or employment, or on a new employer working for the protection of migrant contribute to support the Philippine business because of having a reliable obtained by an employment agency. workers, particularly those based in government which may not have caregiver. Why is it then that these Besides the oppressive Montreal. survived economic crises were it not people are not given due consideration working conditions, caregivers also We are hoping that the for its modern day heroes (as the for their contribution to their happiness suffer from separation from their government is serious in listening to us president has called them to be.) The and comfort? families for an average of five years. and will act on our recommendations. Live-in Caregiver Program also helps Most of us who immigrated During this time, the children if there We are also learning to understand the support Canada’s urgent need for and work in another field of endeavour are any, often feel alienated and once lobbying process and the power of a proper child care system. In other recognize that we are lucky to live in they arrive in Canada after a long united voice. We believe that once we words, there is a mutual benefit that Canada for having the opportunities to absence of their mother, they feel have started to see the fruit of our should not be ignored. The program improve ourselves. We are not, alienated and become part of our collective efforts we will be encouraged provides an easy way to immigrate to however, immune to the systemic social problems. If we examine closely to work on other issues besides the Canada but at the same time it is racism that exist in our society but we the implications of the separation of need to reform the Live-in Caregiver meeting the need of the Canadian have learned to live with it. As our caregivers from their families, we Program. We are optimistic indeed labor market. It is therefore important community increases, the problems should be shocked to realize that this that this is just the beginning of for all stakeholders to examine the also increase with the integration of amounts to producing more broken building a community consensus. program carefully and make sure that it newcomers, and the social problems homes. The social cost of this conforms to Canada’s human rights that result from maladjustment and separation probably is insidiously Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi commitment and reputation as a culture shock. Those of us who are in human rights champion. a better position than others must try to Ever since the Live-in find a way to share the blessings of Marché Coop Filipino Caregiver Program was introduced, living in a free country by thinking of The Filipino Solidarity Cooperative there have been many studies and ways to work for the improvement of 4711 Van Horne Avenue research done to document the our laws, particularly the ones affecting problems due to the compulsory immigration. But we can only do this Montreal, QC H3W 1H8 provision of the live-in requirement as effectively by speaking with one voice – Tel.: 514-733-8915 well as the rules and procedures unity among our community leaders is E-Mail: [email protected] followed in its administration which are imperative for it is difficult if not Your Cooperative needs YOUR PATRONAGE not only onerous and costly but are impossible to be heard if we are without which it will not survive. unreasonably delayed. After reviewing speaking with different voices. We are There are only two ways in making a difference in the success of the several reports on the subject, it happy to note that we have begun the Cooperative - Be an active member and volunteer. appears that there are many groups process of collaboration when a Being active means buying at least $10 of groceries a week, and talk about organized in several communities special group of community workers the Coop with your friends and family. LET US BUILD A STRONG across Canada but so far there is formed a committee to discuss the COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING OUR COOPERATIVE.