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Horwath’s election platform says that a Sanctuary Ontario would ensure people can access “basic services without fear, regardless of their immigration status.”

“This is the decent, humane thing to do,” the NDP platform says. “We believe strongly in the rules governing immigration and citizenship, but we will never withhold basic life-saving services from undocumented people.”

Accesss without fear policies would apply to policing, health and social services, the NDP says, adding such a move would have no impact on rules around immigration and citizenship

While the City of Toronto has designated itself as a sanctuary city, that doesn’t have the same impact as it does in the U.S., where counties have power over policing and health care, Hussan said.

Toronto has asked the province, which does have authority over these services, to designate itself as Santuary Ontario.

PC Leader Doug Ford voted in favour of these actions while on Toronto council, so Hussan expects he would not oppose doing so at the provincial level.

The PCs did not provide comment when asked about Ford’s position on a sanctuary province, and the Liberals did not respond when asked their views on the NDP proposal.

Hussan said the Liberals are the only major party not to indicate in any way support for a sanctuary province.

While a first for a Canadian province, the California Values Act prohibits nearly all communication between local law enforcement officials and federal immigration agents.

The recently adopted law states that California and local resources can’t be ordered used to detain and deport immigrant residents, and that local enforcement is prohibited from detaining anyone for deportation without a judicial warrant.

The California bill, which is being challenged by some authorities in the state, says that all residents can have access to schools, health facilities, libraries, and courthouses regardless of immigration status.

aartuso@postmedia.com