On April 17, 2025, the grounds outside Surrey Memorial Hospital were filled with the voices of over 500 people – healthcare professionals, union leaders, and concerned citizens – all demanding justice. The rally, spearheaded by the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), was not just a demonstration, but a powerful act of solidarity for migrant healthcare workers facing the threat of deportation due to federal policy changes. This grassroots call for justice shined a glaring spotlight on the overlooked plight of essential workers whose futures are now in jeopardy.
The Silent Backbone of B.C.’s Healthcare System
British Columbia’s healthcare system heavily relies on a dedicated workforce of migrant employees, especially in the Fraser and Coastal regions. These individuals, often employed in non-clinical but crucial roles such as care aides, cleaners, kitchen staff, and support workers, have kept the province’s hospitals and care homes running efficiently—even during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of these workers came to Canada under temporary immigration programs with hopes of building a stable life and eventually becoming permanent residents. They have spent years working tirelessly, filling gaps in an already strained healthcare system. Yet, due to sudden changes to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – a key immigration pathway to permanent residency – hundreds of these workers now face the devastating reality of deportation.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on local labor market needs. In British Columbia, the program has been instrumental in addressing shortages in the healthcare sector. However, recent federal reductions in the number of spots allocated to B.C. have put over 500 migrant healthcare workers at risk.
The cuts have disproportionately affected non-clinical workers – those who may not have advanced medical degrees but whose roles are essential to patient care and facility operations. The result is a cruel contradiction: the same people celebrated as “heroes” during the pandemic are now being told they no longer belong.
A Rally for Recognition and Rights
The April 17 rally in Surrey was a passionate outcry for justice, accountability, and action. Organized by the HEU – the largest union representing health care workers in British Columbia – the event brought together union members, immigrant rights activists, community leaders, and political allies.
Lynn Bueckert, secretary-business manager of the HEU, delivered a powerful message: “These workers are Canadian in every way that matters – except on paper.” Her words struck a chord with the crowd, emphasizing the injustice of denying residency to individuals who have long contributed to Canadian society, paid taxes, and supported the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Bueckert called on the federal government to not only reverse the PNP cuts but also to implement a permanent residency pathway specifically for non-clinical healthcare workers. “They’re vital. Without them, our healthcare system doesn’t work,” she stated.
The Human Cost: Stories from the Frontlines
Behind every statistic is a story. At the rally, several migrant workers courageously took to the microphone to share their experiences, many for the first time in public.
One speaker, Maria, a hospital cleaner from the Philippines, has worked at Surrey Memorial for eight years. “During COVID, I went to work every day even when I was scared,” she said through tears. “Now I’m being told I might have to leave. Where is the fairness in that?”
Another, Ibrahim from Nigeria, has worked as a care aide in a long-term care facility in Burnaby. “I help the elderly, I take care of them like my own family,” he said. “But my own future here is uncertain. I want to stay. I want to continue helping.”
Their stories reflect a common theme: commitment, sacrifice, and a deep desire to be accepted as Canadians—not just as workers, but as citizens.
Union Solidarity and Broader Support
The HEU has taken a firm stance in support of migrant workers, arguing that Canada’s immigration policies must align with its labor needs and human rights values. The union’s demands include:
- Restoring full PNP allocations to B.C.
- Creating a dedicated stream for healthcare support workers to apply for permanent residency
- Guaranteeing work permit extensions for affected workers while policy solutions are developed
Support also came from other unions and advocacy groups across the province. The BC Federation of Labour and the Migrant Workers Centre have echoed HEU’s demands and pledged to mobilize in the coming months.
Healthcare System Under Pressure
The looming deportation of hundreds of healthcare workers comes at a time when B.C.’s healthcare system is already struggling. Staffing shortages, increased patient loads, and burnout among medical professionals have left many hospitals stretched thin.
According to a 2024 report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), British Columbia has one of the highest job vacancy rates in healthcare support roles nationwide. Removing hundreds of trained, experienced workers from the system could push it into deeper crisis.
One union leader at the rally warned: “If we lose these workers, wait times will increase, patient care will suffer, and our healthcare system will be dangerously understaffed.”
A Larger Immigration Debate
The situation in B.C. is also fueling a national conversation about how Canada treats its temporary foreign workers. Despite their contributions, migrant workers often face barriers to permanent residency, minimal labor protections, and little security. Critics argue that Canada’s temporary immigration programs create a class of workers who are “good enough to work, but not good enough to stay.”
A 2023 Senate report on migrant labor in Canada concluded that “systemic inequities exist in the current immigration framework,” and called for reforms to ensure that essential workers have access to pathways to permanence.
Political Responses and Next Steps
While no federal representative was present at the Surrey rally, the event drew widespread media attention and sparked discussion in Ottawa. Several Members of Parliament from British Columbia have since expressed concern over the issue, with calls for an emergency debate in the House of Commons.
The HEU has vowed to maintain pressure on both federal and provincial governments. The union is organizing follow-up actions, including petitions, lobbying days, and regional rallies.
“This is just the beginning,” Bueckert told reporters. “We won’t stop until our members have the security and respect they deserve.”
Public Opinion and Community Mobilization
Public support for migrant healthcare workers appears to be growing. Online campaigns such as #LetThemStay and #HealthcareHeroes are gaining traction on social media. Many Canadians, particularly those who relied on hospital care during the pandemic, are beginning to speak out.
Community groups have also stepped up. Local churches, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations in Surrey and across the Lower Mainland have begun organizing donation drives, legal aid workshops, and letter-writing campaigns to support affected workers.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Immigration and Labor Policy
The rally at Surrey Memorial Hospital was more than a protest—it was a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for justice, equity, and humane immigration policy in Canada. At its core, the message was clear: essential workers deserve essential rights.
As the nation continues to grapple with healthcare challenges, labor shortages, and immigration reform, the treatment of migrant healthcare workers will be a litmus test for Canada’s values. Will the country choose compassion, fairness, and recognition—or will it continue down a path of exclusion and short-sighted policy?
For now, the HEU and its allies remain steadfast. Their demand is simple: Let them stay.
