Canada announces $50 million in funding for temporary housing for asylum claimants

Ottawa, June 1, 2018

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued the following statement:

“The federal government recognizes that an increase in irregular border crossers has placed new pressures on some provinces to find temporary housing for asylum claimants.

“On behalf of my colleagues, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and in response to our provincial partners, I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada will make an initial $50 million available to the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, who have borne the majority of costs associated with temporary housing.

“We recognize the hard work that provinces and municipalities have undertaken in the area of housing in particular, and want to commend them for their partnership. As a demonstration of our Government’s desire to collaborate, we are allocating these funds to help alleviate immediate pressures and will continue to work with our partners to further address this issue.

“These initial funds are aimed at providing immediate assistance towards the ongoing provision of temporary housing in these provinces. Quebec will receive $36 million, Ontario $11 million and Manitoba $3 million to offset their housing costs.