Toronto mother walking from 91 Kilometres from Toronto to Ottawa to raise awareness for work permits
A Toronto mother walking nearly 500 kilometres to Parliament Hill will pass through Quinte West and Belleville this week as she seeks to bring attention to the uncertain future facing hundreds of Turkish and Syrian families whose Canadian work permits are set to expire.
Şefika Özlem Yaman Şahin began her 28-day journey from Toronto to Ottawa on July 19. The walk spans approximately 491 kilometres over 25 planned walking stages and is expected to conclude in Ottawa on Aug. 15, where she plans to bring her message directly to the federal government. TS2023_National Press Release.pdf
On Tuesday, July 28, the 10th day of her walk, Şahin is expected to walk through Quinte West, reaching Sidney. The following day, she will continue from Sidney to Belleville as part of the cross-province journey.
Şahin says she is walking for her young son, whose school, friends and sense of belonging are now in Canada, as well as for other families who have spent the past three years working, paying taxes, studying and raising children in Canadian communities while facing renewed uncertainty over their immigration status.
The campaign centres on families who came to Canada under temporary special measures introduced after the devastating February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. The measures allowed eligible Turkish and Syrian nationals already in Canada to extend or change their temporary status and apply for open work or study permits. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reported the program assisted 8,049 people before it ended on Jan. 3, 2024, without being renewed. TS2023_National Press Release.pdf
The walk follows House of Commons petition e-7288, initiated by Ali Demircan, president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations. The petition collected 8,089 validated signatures and called on the federal government to introduce LMIA-exempt work permits, extend eligible work permits by at least 24 months, and consider a pathway to permanent residence for qualifying individuals who have contributed through employment, education or community involvement.
The federal government’s response, tabled June 12, did not approve any of those requests.
“I am not asking Canada for a favour,” Şahin said in a statement accompanying the campaign. “I am asking Canada to let our family finish what we started here — my son’s school year, our jobs, our life.”
Campaign organizers say the initiative is intended to be peaceful and non-partisan, with the goal of encouraging the federal government to provide greater certainty for families whose lives have become rooted in Canada.