Asylum seekers require support from all levels of government

Newmarket – York Regional Council passed a resolution calling on the federal government to provide funding to support the ongoing needs of asylum claimants. This funding would compensate York Region for expenses to date, as well as ensuring the Region can continue current levels of interim accommodation and support through to the end of 2024.

“Like many municipalities across the Province, York Region is experiencing an influx of asylum seekers and refugee claimants,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Successful integration of newcomers, including asylum seekers, requires a coordinated operational effort by all levels of government. “We are pleased the Government of Canada is acknowledging the work municipalities continue to do on this critical issue and look forward to details on how additional funding will be allocated locally. Without this coordination, municipalities are at risk of experiencing an unsustainable demand for resources.”

The resolution speaks to the pressing need of federal and provincial advocacy in the following areas:

• Providing funding to York Region to compensate expenses in 2023 ($2.7 million) and offset costs related to the Region’s interim housing and supports to asylum claimants
• Providing an additional $14.1 million estimated to offset costs related to the Region’s interim housing and supports to asylum claimants for the balance of 2024
• Increasing Canada Ontario Housing Benefit funding to at least match enhanced provincial allocation of $2.4 million; enabling asylum claimants to settle and find more stable housing
• Coordinating and streamlining intake and housing supports by senior levels of government address the increase in asylum claimants in Canada
• Providing funding directly to community organizations and service providers, such as churches and faith organizations, that are providing interim housing and settlement supports to asylum seekers

“York Region remains focused on supporting people, including providing safe accommodations and access to settlement services needed to find employment and stable housing as quickly as possible,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Chair of Community and Health Services. “Every level of government is needed to deliver long-term, sustainable and compassionate measures allowing our most vulnerable newcomers to have a safe place to stay.”

On September 28, 2023, York Regional Council approved $4.3 million in municipal tax levy funding towards the establishment and operations of a hotel-based interim accommodation and support site in the City of Vaughan for asylum seekers and refugee claimants. In December 2023, York Region expanded its capacity to assist refugee claimants and asylum seekers by opening a second hotel-based interim accommodation and support site in the City of Markham.

York Region will continue to collaborate with local municipalities and partners across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and with the federal and provincial governments to help ensure asylum seekers are supported and welcomed.

To learn more about various roles, responsibilities and services and supports for asylum seekers, visit york.ca/RefugeeResources

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact:

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71226
Cell: 905-251-6412
@email