The City of Toronto Declines Federal Government’s Offer of Temporary Shelters for Refugees

The federal government recently offered the City of Toronto two locations as temporary shelters for refugees, along with operational funding for a third location. However, the city declined the offer, raising concerns about the ongoing refugee crisis in the region.

In November, City Council passed a motion urging the federal government to address the refugee crisis by providing funding and operational support for emergency accommodation at federal sites. The city’s request was reinforced by a letter signed by all 25 councillors and Mayor Olivia Chow, addressed to the Ministers of National Defence and Emergency Preparedness.

This latest call for assistance comes after a contentious dispute between the city, province, and federal government over refugee housing, which left hundreds of asylum seekers exposed to the elements during the summer.

Sources have confirmed that the federal government offered the city the option to open the Moss Park and Fort York Armouries as shelter spaces until mid-December. Additionally, Ottawa proposed providing $5 million to operate a shelter at the Better Living Centre for the remaining winter months. However, the city reportedly declined the offer.

Mayor Olivia Chow criticized the federal government for its lack of support for refugee housing, highlighting the urgency of the situation as temperatures drop. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, confirmed that the federal government had offered funding for shelter space at the Better Living Centre and expressed the need for all parties to come together to find a solution.

Housing advocate Cathy Crowe characterized the decision to turn down the offer as a scandal, emphasizing the need for immediate action to provide shelter for those sleeping on the streets. Councillor Brad Bradford also questioned the city’s decision and called for swift action to address the crisis.

The City of Toronto has requested $200 million in federal support this year to accommodate approximately 4,000 refugees in the city’s shelter system. The cost is expected to increase to $240 million by 2024, and the city hopes federal funding will cover these expenses.

While the city’s press secretary stated that the Better Living Centre would be part of the Winter Services Plan, the city’s communications division disputed this claim. The city has not received an offer from the federal government to fully cover the costs associated with sheltering refugee claimants.

The opening of the armouries is contingent upon receiving a Request for Assistance from the provincial government. The city has already sent a request and is waiting for a response from Emergency Management Ontario and the Treasury Board Secretariat.

In the meantime, the Minister of Immigration revealed that a deal with Peel Region to establish a reception centre for refugees and asylum seekers was nearing completion. Plans to open a location near Pearson International Airport, which would be better equipped to receive and triage arrivals, are expected to be announced soon.