Hamilton, another ‘Sanctuary City’

By Gerald V. Paul.
Hamilton declared itself another “sanctuary city” last Wednesday, huddling with Toronto.

“I’m ecstatic. I think we are working towards a more welcoming community to people that are very vulnerable,” said Maria Antelo.

A “sanctuary city” takes deliberate steps to make municipal services acceptable to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
But proponents argue this makes for a better, safer community for all encouraging vulnerable people to get help ( for example, calling the police or using the shelter). without fear of being turned over to border enforcement officers for detentionand deportation.

Antelo stressed they are working towards a more welcoming community to people that are very, very, vulnerable.

And Syed Hussan, of No One Is Illegal Toronto, said provincially funded services that are administered locally are still inaccessible to undocumented people, including community housing, health care, social assistance, post-secondary education and so on.