Mothers Without Legal Status Project

The YWCA is seeing a growing number of mothers without legal status, many of whom have fled their relationships because of abuse. While trying to rebuild their lives and still adapting to a new country, these women are truly in limbo—unable to work or collect income assistance, yet unable to leave Canada and take their children with them. Read Olivia's story.

The Mothers Without Legal Status project, one of the first of its kind in Canada, examines the gaps between immigration and family law. It reaches out to women whose sponsorship agreements have broken down, who don’t have permanent legal status in Canada and who have children who can’t be taken out of the country due to family court orders.

Why this project is so important
When a mother is without permanent legal status in Canada, she and her children have nothing to live on. These women cannot work, cannot collect income assistance and cannot apply for a Canada Child Tax Benefit. And the alternative is even worse—leaving here without their children, which most of these women simply won’t do.

This project will bring to light what these mothers are experiencing and how governments, communities and the law can work together to bring about change, so these women can have a better life for themselves and their children.

Mothers Without Legal Status in Canada - Information for Service Providers
This free downloable booklet explains the experiences of mothers without legal status and how service providers can best help them.

Mothers Without Legal Status in Canada - Research Report
This report makes recommendations for change in the Canadian legal and immigration systems.

YWCA Metro Vancouver acknowledges the vision of The Law Foundation of British Columbia for its generous support of this project.