The Government of Canada funds City of Toronto initiative to address temporary housing for asylum claimants

News release

August 30, 2019 – Ottawa – The Government of Canada announced today that it will provide the City of Toronto with $17 million in funding to support an initiative to relieve pressure on its shelter system due to the increased number of asylum claimants.

The City of Toronto will lead the initiative, through arrangements with neighbouring municipalities that are willing to work together to strengthen the region’s combined capacity to provide interim housing support to asylum claimants.

Through this collaborative effort, the City of Toronto will provide reception and initial shelter to families before transporting them to neighbouring cities if necessary. To date, Toronto has established arrangements with the regions of Peel and Durham and the City of Hamilton.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada appreciates the leadership that Toronto and partner municipalities are demonstrating to address challenges associated with interim housing for asylum claimants in the region. Cooperation among all orders of government is essential to finding effective solutions to interim housing needs for asylum claimants and to supporting the ability of cities and regions to respond as individuals seek Canada’s protection.”

– The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction

“I want to thank the Government of Canada and our partner municipalities for working with our city to ensure we have interim housing for asylum claimants in the region. This groundbreaking initiative shows the importance of cooperation to solve complex issues and help those in need.”

– Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto

Associated links

Contacts

Contacts for media only

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction
marie-emmanuelle.cadieux@canada.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613‑952‑1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

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