Canada will provide housing for more people in need of asylum

Canada is a country for which attracting immigrants is part of government policy. With increasing global migration, Canada is experiencing an increase in the number of people seeking asylum. The country does not ignore these claims. While it is the responsibility of provinces and municipalities to provide housing and support for asylum-seekers, the federal government recognizes that only by working together across all levels of government to address the housing needs of asylum-seekers can it make a serious difference.

Today, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser announced financial assistance to communities that host people in need of asylum to provide those very people with a roof over their heads. The investment consists of approximately CAD 212 million, which will support the Interim Housing Assistance Program, which will be extended until the end of March next year.

Approximately CAD 97 million of these funds will be allocated to Toronto. The Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) provides cost-share funding to provinces and municipalities to provide temporary housing for asylum seekers. The investment announced today is in addition to the nearly CAD 700 million, including CAD 215 million for Toronto, that has been allocated to the provinces and municipality under IHAP.

In addition to IHAP, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is working with the provinces and municipalities that receive the most asylum applications to increase temporary housing. As of early July, IRCC had more than 3,800 hotel rooms available in 6 provinces to provide temporary housing for asylum seekers.

The international migration situation requires Canada-wide cooperation and collaboration, and the Government of Canada is making efforts to work together to address emerging challenges. The federal government will continue to work closely with municipal and provincial governments to provide shelter to those in need.