TORONTO — At least a dozen immigrants detained at Ontario correctional facilities remain on hunger strike after more than two weeks.
Approximately 50 men at the Toronto East Detention Centre and Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay began refusing food on July 11, but an advocacy group says several have since decided to resume eating.
The detainees have demanded a meeting with Public Safety minister Ralph Goodale, an end to immigrants being detained in maximum security facilities and a 90-day limit on immigrant detentions in general.
The immigrant and refugee rights activist group No One Is Illegal says it has been in daily contact with the detainees.
The organization says the hunger strike is taking a physical, psychological and emotional toll on the men still refusing food.
It says Goodale has not contacted the detainees to arrange a meeting.
"It's not really about the exact numbers of people, it's the fact that the strike is ongoing," said Tings Chak, a spokeswoman for No One Is Illegal. "The demands have remained unchanged, we still have not heard back (about) a meeting with Ralph Goodale."
The minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
