Ontario Investing to Find Long-term Housing for Asylum Claimants in the City of Cornwall

Increased support will help municipalities and asylum claimants  

NEWS

City of Cornwall — The Ontario government is investing $42 million through the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) to support impacted municipalities across the province in providing urgent assistance to a rapidly growing number of asylum claimants and other at-risk populations.

This investment in 2023-24 includes $249,800 for the City of Cornwall, which will help move more people into housing and free up existing shelter spaces. The funding allocation reflects the estimated share of asylum claimants in the area and their relative impact on local services, based on provincial social assistance data.

“I am pleased to see the federal and provincial governments working together to help municipal partners who are facing a growing number of asylum seekers,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “The City of Cornwall Human Services staff work diligently to provide care and assistance to the asylum seekers. The $249,800 funding allocated to the City of Cornwall will assist with finding a more permanent solution such as long-term housing.”

“This investment will ease growing pressures on homeless shelters by helping thousands of asylum seekers move into long-term housing,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Unfortunately, too many newcomers searching for a better life are struggling, living in our shelter systems, church basements or, in some cases, out on the streets. That’s just unacceptable. We need all levels of government working together to tackle this crisis.”  

The province continues to advocate strongly for Ontario municipalities and service managers to ensure they receive their fair share of federal funding to address the significant, ongoing rise in asylum claimants. 

“Our government is stepping up to help municipalities deal with the pressures they are facing due to increased numbers of asylum claimants,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are committed to working constructively with our municipal partners, but we also firmly believe the federal government has a responsibility to step up as well and support municipalities in dealing with this crisis.”

Asylum claimants are individuals seeking asylum in Canada based on a fear of persecution in their home country. They are ineligible for most federal support programs, such as financial assistance and settlement and language training services. They are different from persons who arrive in Canada having already been recognized as refugees, whose arrival to Canada as permanent residents allows them to qualify for federal supports.

This year alone, Ontario could receive more than 72,000 asylum claimants – nearly twice as many as last year.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). 
• announced an additional $202 million annually in homelessness prevention programs to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and to support community organizations delivering supportive housing.

MEDIA CONTACT Office of Nolan Quinn, MPP Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Tel: 613-933-6513 / TF: 1-800-514-9660 Email: nolan.quinn@pc.ola.org