OTTAWA, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to working collaboratively with provinces and municipalities to help deal with the pressures they face with respect to providing temporary housing to asylum claimants.
The Government of Canada today committed to giving the City of Toronto $45 million to address temporary housing shortages. These funds are in addition to the $26 million that has already been provided to the city since June 2018.
Temporary housing has been a key challenge in many municipalities for years, including Toronto. The demand for shelter space this past year has increased due to the impacts of global migration and the number of asylum claimants seeking Canada's protection.
We will always stand ready to work out a cost-sharing agreement with the Government of Ontario. But in the interim, we will work directly with willing partners in the most affected municipalities, like the City of Toronto, to help address shelter pressures.
Quotes
"Toronto continues to be a key partner as we find solutions to help vulnerable individuals in need of shelter, including asylum claimants. I am always willing to work with my Ontario counterpart to reach an agreement that will alleviate the housing pressures in our communities, and address the realities of increased global migration."
– The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction
"I want to thank the Government of Canada for listening to our concerns about these costs and acting on our City's request. This funding is a direct result of our productive discussions over the last year with the government and a willingness to work together. It shows the importance of partnerships between governments and how we can address issues in the spirit of cooperation."
– Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto
Related products
- National Housing Strategy
- Helping the City of Ottawa ease shelter pressures
- Government of Canada helps Toronto ease shelter pressures for asylum claimants
- Statement – Government of Canada announces $50 million in funding for temporary housing for asylum claimants
Associated link
Follow us:
SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Contacts for media only, Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux, Senior Communications Advisor, Office ofthe Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, [email protected]; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]
Share this article