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Apol Apuntar on OMNI News: Exposing the Risks of Bill C-12 and Defending Migrant Communities in Canada

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Apol Apuntar, Licensed Paralegal, in-house Paralegal for Migrants Resource Centre Canada (MRCC), and Managing Director of Apuntar Legal Services, was recently interviewed by OMNI News to unpack the serious risks posed by Bill C-12 to migrants, refugees, caregivers, and international students living in Canada.


With over two decades of experience supporting migrant communities, Apol used this national platform to amplify concerns that many government officials, lawmakers, and the public may not fully understand.


What Is Bill C-12 and Why Is It So Alarming?


Bill C-12 proposes sweeping legal powers that would significantly reshape Canada’s immigration enforcement system. Apol highlighted several reasons why this legislation poses threats to vulnerable populations and may undermine Canada’s humanitarian commitments.


1. Lifetime Ban on Refugee Claims Filed After One Year


Bill C-12 introduces a lifetime ban on refugee claimants who fail to make a claim within one year of arriving in Canada.

Apol explained that many people miss this deadline due to:

  • trauma or mental health struggles

  • fear or distrust of authorities

  • misinformation from consultants or employers

  • language or cultural barriers

  • lack of financial or legal support

  • coercive or abusive working conditions

Punishing them with a lifetime ban is harsh, disproportionate, and inconsistent with Canada’s obligations under international refugee law.


2. Ministerial Power to Cancel Permits and PR Status in Bulk

The bill gives the Immigration Minister the power to cancel work permits, study permits, temporary resident permits, and even Permanent Resident status, not just individually but on a collective or en masse basis.


Apol warned that this creates:

  • fear and anxiety for migrant workers

  • instability for families relying on PR pathways

  • opportunities for arbitrary decision-making

  • risks to workers tied to employer-specific permits


This power undermines due process and fairness—core values of Canada’s immigration system.


3. Data-Sharing With Foreign Governments

One of the most dangerous provisions is the ability to share immigration information with foreign governments, including those:


  • known for persecution

  • with documented human rights abuses

  • targeting political dissidents

  • monitoring activists abroad


For refugees, activists, and workers fleeing state violence, this could lead to:

  • retaliation against family members

  • threats to personal safety

  • surveillance

  • arrest or harassment back home


Apol emphasized that this contradicts the very purpose of refugee protection.


4. Migrants’ Ongoing Contributions to Canada

Apol stressed the essential roles migrants continue to play in Canada's economy, particularly Filipino workers who are foundational in:


  • long-term care

  • hospitals and clinics

  • home care and childcare

  • food and hospitality

  • retail and delivery services


Despite their contributions, migrants often face the deepest precarity—and deserve fair, humane, and accessible immigration pathways.


Migrants Resource Centre Canada (MRCC) is a grassroots, community-based organization advocating for the rights and dignity of migrant workers, caregivers, international students, and undocumented people across Canada.


MRCC provides:

  • legal information and case support

  • community organizing and rights education

  • advocacy against exploitative immigration policies

  • emergency assistance for workers in crisis


As the in-house Paralegal for MRCC, Apol delivers front-line legal support to people facing:


  • abuse or exploitation

  • forced repatriation

  • unfair dismissal

  • loss of immigration status

  • human rights violations


This role deepens his connection to community members whose voices are often ignored in national policy debates.


Apol’s advocacy extends far beyond his legal work. His career has been defined by:


  • public education for migrant workers

  • workshops on rights and immigration options

  • media interviews to raise awareness

  • support for campaigns demanding PR status for all

  • assisting workers experiencing abuse or exploitation

  • community consultations with grassroots organizations


His message on OMNI News reinforced a core principle of his work:Immigration laws must protect people—not punish them.


Why This Interview Matters


At a time when political rhetoric around immigration is intensifying, Apol’s OMNI News appearance brings migrant voices directly into the public conversation. He explains the real-world impact of legislation like Bill C-12 and urges policymakers to adopt fair,

transparent, and compassionate approaches.


His analysis is grounded in everyday experiences of the people he serves—caregivers, workers, students, and refugees who deserve stability, dignity, and safety.


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