Canada Considers Buying Hotels to Tackle Refugee Crisis

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Key Takeaways:

Canada considers purchasing hotels as housing centers to provide cost-effective shelter and essential services for asylum seekers.
Federal government funded 4,000 hotel rooms for 7,300 asylum seekers in 2023, highlighting the housing crisis.
Additional solutions include reception centers and $362.4 million funding to provinces for interim housing, with significant impact on Quebec.

How is Canada Addressing the Refugee Crisis with Housing Solutions?

The Canadian government is exploring various solutions to tackle the housing shortage faced by asylum seekers. One notable proposal involves the federal government purchasing hotels to convert them into housing centers for refugees. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has highlighted this strategy as a potentially cost-effective way to house people claiming refugee status.

Canada Considers Buying Hotels to Tackle Refugee Crisis

“By purchasing hotels, we can create dedicated refugee housing centers,” said Marc Miller in an interview with the Globe and Mail. This approach would not only provide shelter but also integrate front-line workers into the buildings to offer essential services to claimants awaiting the processing of their cases.

How Many Hotel Rooms Have Been Used for Asylum Seekers in 2023?

Figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveal that so far this year, the federal government has funded about 4,000 hotel rooms for approximately 7,300 asylum seekers. A significant number of these individuals were transferred from provincial shelters, underscoring the ongoing housing shortage.

Is Housing Refugees a Federal or Provincial Responsibility?

While housing refugee claimants is typically a provincial responsibility, the federal government has shouldered much of the burden since the pandemic began. Ottawa has stepped in financially to alleviate the overwhelmed provincial shelters. Between September 2021 and January 2023, the federal government spent close to $94 million booking entire hotels for asylum seekers. This included 10 hotels in Montreal and others in Niagara Falls and Ottawa. On average, asylum seekers spend 113 days in these hotels, costing $208 per person per day, including meals and security.

What Are the Alternative Solutions for Housing Refugees?

Buying hotels isn’t the only avenue being explored. Another solution is the establishment of reception centers. Last fall, a reception center for Peel Region in the Greater Toronto Area was announced. According to Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, the center aims to provide “streamlined support and services to asylum seekers.” This will include temporary shelter for up to five days, legal aid, and assistance with health and social issues facilitated by community organizations. Ottawa has allocated $7 million for this project, which is expected to aid about 1,300 asylum claimants each month.

How is the Federal Government Funding These Initiatives?

The financial commitment from the federal government continues to grow. In January, Minister Miller announced an additional $362.4 million for the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) as part of the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This funding supplements the previous $212 million announced in the last summer. IHAP helps provincial and municipal governments manage the extraordinary interim housing demands caused by the rise in asylum seekers.

Moreover, just last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged $750 million to Quebec to address the strain caused by the influx of asylum seekers. This funding aims to compensate Quebec for two fiscal years of costs incurred due to the disproportionate number of refugee claimants entering through the province.

What is the Impact on Quebec?

Quebec has been significantly affected by the refugee crisis. Last year, the province received 65% of refugee claimants entering through official border crossings and 95% of those entering illegally. The financial support aims to relieve the impact on Quebec’s housing, education, and healthcare systems.

In conclusion, Canada is actively seeking and implementing diverse solutions to resolve the housing shortage faced by asylum seekers. Whether it’s by purchasing hotels or establishing reception centers, the federal government’s proactive approach aims to provide immediate and long-term support for those seeking refuge.

For more detailed information about immigration policies and ongoing initiatives, visit the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

According to VisaVerge.com, these initiatives represent a coordinated effort by the federal government to address the significant challenges posed by the refugee crisis in Canada.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

Asylum Seekers:
Individuals who have fled their home countries seeking protection from persecution or serious harm and are awaiting a decision on their refugee status.
Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP):
A federal program designed to provide temporary housing and financial support to provincial and municipal governments to manage the urgent housing needs of asylum seekers.
Reception Centers:
Facilities established to offer temporary shelter and integrated services such as legal aid, health, and social support to asylum seekers shortly after their arrival.
Federal Responsibility:
Pertains to actions and initiatives undertaken by the national government, especially in providing funding and resources to support asylum seekers and remedy housing shortages.
Provincial Shelters:
Accommodation facilities managed by provincial governments to house displaced individuals, including refugees and asylum seekers, until permanent housing solutions are available.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Canada tackles the refugee housing crisis by converting hotels into shelters and establishing reception centers. The government purchased hotel rooms accommodating about 7,300 claimants in 2023. These shelters provide essential services, aiding asylum seekers while their cases are processed, showcasing a proactive federal approach.
— By VisaVerge.com

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