May 4, 2026
The Tilbury Times
  • Home
  • Local
  • Beyond Local
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Support Local Paper
  • Contact Us
Homecandian

candian

Uncategorized

Chatham-Kent’s water and wastewater rates see slight hike

February 10, 2023 Canada News 2

By Bird Bouchard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News   The cost of drinking water has increased in Chatham-Kent. On Jan. 16, the […]

Uncategorized

Rockin’ fundraisers for local musician

February 9, 2023 Canada News 0

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice   Local Face4Radio band member Jesse Verleye is one popular guy. After the 49-year-old Chatham […]

Customer service, for 75 years
Uncategorized

Customer service, for 75 years

February 9, 2023 Canada News 1

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice   Although technology today is light years from what it was in 1948, the values […]

Uncategorized

C-K councillor named to ROMA board

February 9, 2023 Canada News 0

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice   For the first time in a long while – possibly ever – Chatham-Kent has […]

Shadd celebrations highlight Black History events in C-K
Uncategorized

Shadd celebrations highlight Black History events in C-K

February 9, 2023 Canada News 1

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice   This fall, Oct. 9 to be exact, will mark the 200th anniversary of the […]

Three medals boost Veccia’s provincial hopes
Uncategorized

Three medals boost Veccia’s provincial hopes

February 9, 2023 Canada News 20

By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News   Addy Veccia turned in back-to-back personal best performances in her bid to return […]

Cuddle Bed comes to CK Hospice
Uncategorized

Cuddle Bed comes to CK Hospice

February 9, 2023 Canada News 1

By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News   The Chatham-Kent Hospice has recently purchased a Cuddle Bed to add another level […]

5.64% Tax hike for Chatham-Kent residents
Uncategorized

5.64% Tax hike for Chatham-Kent residents

February 9, 2023 Canada News 1

By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News   A tax increase was inevitable, but East Kent Councillors Steve Pinsonneault and John […]

Plenty to see and do in celebration of Black History Month
Uncategorized

Plenty to see and do in celebration of Black History Month

February 9, 2023 Canada News 1

By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News   A gathering of more than 100 people celebrated the start of Black History […]

Busy night slated for ARTcrawl in Chatham
Uncategorized

Busy night slated for ARTcrawl in Chatham

February 9, 2023 Canada News 0

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice   There’s nothing like a splash of colour and some deep perspective to bring light […]

Posts pagination

« 1 2 3 »
  • Migrant Worker Community Program hosts annual Health and Information Fair with strong community turnout
  • Sikh celebrations bring together families from Tilbury to Wallaceburg
  • Taste of Chatham‑Kent launches month‑long celebration of cultural diversity
  • 21:20 Apr 30, 2026 ONT-LJI-Migrant-workers-TR‑to‑PR Migrant workers call for clarity on stalled TR‑to‑PR plan By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter Source: Tilbury Times Reporter Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab had said the federal government’s new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR‑to‑PR) pathway would launch in April. But as the month ends, no program has been released, leaving migrant workers, international students and advocacy groups calling for clarity. On Thursday morning, the Migrant Rights Network, Canada’s largest migrant‑led coalition, sent the minister a list of minimum requirements for the promised program. The group warned that any new pathway must avoid the pitfalls of previous immigration pilots and must serve as a step toward permanent resident status for all migrants. The federal government has committed to accelerating the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027. But migrant‑rights advocates say a narrow or highly restricted program could create panic, confusion and exploitation among workers who have been waiting months for details. Past programs have shown how demand can overwhelm limited pathways. When the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots opened in 2025, more than 40,000 care workers attempted to apply for just 5,500 spots, crashing the website and leaving thousands without answers. Many remain in limbo today. At the same time, more than 2.3 million people on study and work permits have faced permit expiries in 2025 and 2026. Many have remained in Canada on maintained status, hoping the TR‑to‑PR pathway would offer a route to stability. The closure of the Agri‑Food Immigration Pilot, one of the few permanent residency options for agricultural workers, has further heightened pressure on the upcoming program. Despite the federal commitment, the government has not released full eligibility criteria, application rules or timelines through official channels. Instead, partial details have circulated through interviews, social‑media posts and consultant advertising, leaving many migrants to make major life decisions based on speculation. “Thousands are shut out and the most vulnerable are exploited when the government launches narrow, time‑limited programs with limited information,” said Syed Hussan of the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat.  “A pathway for 33,000 people cannot solve a crisis affecting millions. Canada needs permanent resident status for all migrants.” In Chatham‑Kent and Essex counties, where agri‑food operations, seafood‑processing plants and greenhouse farms rely heavily on temporary foreign workers, many say the uncertainty is affecting their ability to plan for the future. A seafood‑processing worker in the region, who asked not to be named for fear of employer repercussions, said the lack of information has created anxiety. “We’ve been waiting every day for news,” he said.  “Many of us have families back home depending on us. Without clear rules, we don’t know if we should renew permits, save money for applications, or prepare to leave.” A seasonal agricultural worker from the Leamington area, Carlos Hernández, said many long‑time workers feel they are being left behind. “I’ve been working so hard in the greenhouses,” Hernández said.  “We help keep the food supply going, but we still don’t know if this program will include us. People are stressed because everything is rumours.” Another worker, María López, who came from Mexico and works at a large greenhouse operation outside Leamington, said the lack of official information has created fear among her co‑workers. “Some of us renewed our permits, others are waiting, and no one knows what is the right choice,” López said.  “We just want clear rules. Many of us want to stay here permanently, but we don’t know if we will even qualify.” The Migrant Rights Network is calling for a TR‑to‑PR pathway that includes seasonal agricultural, food‑processing and seafood workers; undocumented people and those who have lost status; workers in all regions including major urban centres; workers in all TEER categories including low‑wage roles; and people currently excluded by language tests, education requirements, employer‑controlled permits or permit type. Advocates say these measures are necessary to ensure the program does not repeat past failures and to prevent further exploitation of workers who have few or no other pathways to permanent residency. As April closes without the promised launch, migrant‑rights groups say they will continue pressing Ottawa for transparency, fairness and a program that reflects the scale of the need.
  • Jr. RetroFest a hit at this Chatham high school
  • Change is in the works at C-K police
  • Chatham‑Kent newcomers feel strain as Bank of Canada holds rates steady
  • New federal trades program could open doors for Chatham‑Kent’s immigrant workforce
  • Broncos driver’s deportation stay divides opinion in Chatham‑Kent newcomer communities
  • What Bill C‑12 Means for Asylum Seekers in Chatham‑Kent: An Explainer
#cdnpoli #COVID19 vaccines #COVID19Canada #COVID19Ontario #elxn44 Canada Canadian History Canadian Politics candian Chatham-Kent COVID-19 COVID19 Halton COVID19 Milton Ontario Halton Ontario Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Halton Region Chair Gary Carr Local Journalism Initiative Milton Ontario ontario Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott Ontario Premier Doug Ford Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The Tilbury Times Tilbury Tilbury Times
  • Donaldpride: I found a website while exploring online that felt minimal and elegant with a smooth interface and intuitive navigation system…
  • JeffreyWaype: Быстрая доставка в регионы через «Деловые Линии», груз пришел в целости и отлично упакованным. https://xn--80aeedb0bfzeok.xn--p1ai/catalog/mednyi-perekhodnoi-troinik-press/mednyi-perekhodnoi-press-troinik-40kh15-mm-m3t-gost-r-52948-2008/
  • Holliswek: In between browsing different platforms, I noticed visit petal market now – The interface is simple and clean, and it…
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

© Copyright 2025-26 - The Tilbury Times