The purpose of the forum was to discuss the specific needs of the Roma refugee claimants who are here; we need to know who they are and what they require, just as we need to hear from the various social service agencies that serve them. […] In attendance: 200 people from 118 agencies. Here is one compelling reason for such a meeting: a couple of years ago, in one week, some 250 Roma kids registered in our schools, mainly in Parkdale; the school board was, as you might guess, unprepared. Another reason for the forum: the Toronto Board of Health is tracking the effects of racialization on the health of this city’s residents. Yet another reason? Canada’s current immigration policies are confusing, punitive and, depending on your point of view, racist.
Manitoba
