Toronto seeks help over growing refugee numbers in shelters

TORONTO — The City of Toronto has issued an urgent appeal to the federal and provincial governments for help dealing with the growing number of refugee claimants in its shelter system.

Mayor John Tory said Thursday that the number of refugee claimants in the city’s shelters has grown from an average of 459 per night in 2016, to an average of 2,351 per night this month. He said the latest figure represents 37.6 per cent of those in the system.

Tory said if those levels continue, the city will incur $64.5 million in costs related to providing shelter and housing for refugee claimants by the end of this year.

“As is the case with the general shelter population, it would seem that Toronto ends up taking on responsibility for the entire region without the funding support that recognizes that,” Tory said.

The city has taken measures to expand the capacity of its shelter system over the past 18 months, Tory said. But Toronto has reached the limits of its ability to independently address the resettlement of the refugee claimants, he added.

The city has asked the federal and provincial governments to help co-ordinate the immediate placement of new arrivals to locations outside of its shelter system. It has also asked for dedicated staff to coordinate services for refugee claimants. The city said its shelter system serves approximately 19,000 people per year. This month, it has served an average of 6,241 people per night.

Premier Kathleen Wynne said the province will work with the city to address the pressure on its shelter system. It will continue to look for surplus provincial buildings that can be used as shelter space, she said.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada spokesman Beatrice Fenelon said the federal government is aware that Toronto’s housing is reaching capacity. “We continue to work closely with all involved players in the implementation of contingency plan that is prepared for any future fluctuations,” she said, adding that the government will continue to work with the city and province on the issue.