Niagara Falls can't handle the growing number of refugees
City officials are worried there wouldn't b enough rooms for tourists.
Niagara Falls is a city near the famous waterfalls. Its mayor Jim Diodati asked federal government to limit the number of refugees seeking shelter in local hotels. Windsor hotel, for instance, already has such a limit with 500 rooms set for refugees.
The summer tourist season is approaching, and Diodati worries that the hotels won't be able to accommodate enough people. Last year, 12 million people came to see the waterfalls; this year, the city expects 14 million tourists.
About 1,500 hotel rooms in Niagara Falls are currently occupied by refugees. Diodati says the government is issuing work permits to refugees to help them move out of the hotels. He added that the language barrier prevents refugees from getting skill assessments and work placements. The housing crisis doesn't solve the situation either.
Tourism industry in Niagara Falls is recovering after 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
