OBCM Statement on Lack of Municipal Capacity to Support Newcomers to Canada

*Please see below a news release issued by Ontario’s Big City Mayors. The Greater Toronto and Hamilton (GTHA) Mayors and Chairs also released a related statement, please click/tap the link to view it or scroll further down this post. July 18, 2023The Canadian government is failing to fully fund the municipal front line that Canada relies on to welcome and settle newcomers, including those needing urgent support such as refugees and asylum-seekers fleeing conflict in their home countries.Ontario cities understand that the federal government believes “housing and supports for asylum seekers are the responsibility of provinces and municipalities” and historically, by working together with other orders of government, local agencies, and community partners to co-ordinate their settlement, municipalities have been able to expand services when there has been an influx through emergency shelter systems and other wraparound supports.This is no longer the case.Municipal leaders are operating with a nineteenth century revenue system to respond to twenty-first century responsibilities that include a housing and homelessness crisis, public health and safety issues such as the mental health and addictions crisis, ageing infrastructure, and other traditional responsibilities.This most recent influx of refugees has dramatically increased pressure on a system that is already over capacity, and despite best efforts, municipalities can no longer keep up with the demand.While our cities are on the front line of welcoming newcomers to Canada, the federal government has not consulted nor planned with municipalities to ensure these newcomers receive the housing and other supports they need, including for those who have come to Canada to learn. And when these needs cannot be met, it is often vulnerable and marginalized communities that are impacted the most.Today’s announcement by the federal government to increase interim housing supports is a good start, but it does not solve the systemic capacity issues municipalities across Ontario are facing, nor does it address the current refugee crisis in communities throughout the GTA and beyond.Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is calling for an urgent meeting of all orders of government to discuss immediate action on the capacity issues faced by our municipalities, and to put in place a funding model that addresses the on-going need for emergency housing and other supports as this refugee crisis continues.OBCM is also calling on the federal government to consult with municipalities, provinces and territories on the process of setting of immigration targets, including for international students, and on the funding and supports cities require to ensure people receive the housing and other services they need when they arrive.OBCM requests that these numbers be announced with enough time to be included in provincial and municipal growth planning.About Ontario’s Big City MayorsOntario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario, includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70 percent of Ontario’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.

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GTHA Mayors and Chairs StatementPosted on Tuesday, July 18, 2023The following statement is being issued on behalf of the Mayors and Chairs of Durham, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel, Toronto, Vaughan and York: "Today, representatives of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) Mayors and Chairs met to address how to best support increased demand for settlement services—despite various ongoing challenges and limitations.For decades, GTHA municipalities have offered a welcoming community for refugees and asylum seekers. We’re known as a safe place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.We thank all the community partners who have come to the table to support refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the GTHA. However, despite our best efforts, the increased number of people arriving in our communities has placed a significant strain on our resources.At present, there are over 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees requiring support across the GTHA. We have expanded our services to support refugees and asylum seekers while they establish themselves in Canada. We’ve activated the emergency shelter systems; provided wrap-around services and supports to help newcomers settle in the GTHA.But our collective system is over capacity. We simply cannot provide shelter and resources, without support from our provincial and federal partners. We are reducing our ability to serve our existing vulnerable populations.The federal funding announced earlier today, did not reflect the increased number of refugees arriving in our community, nor does it apply to all municipalities facing these pressures. We’ve been clear with federal and provincial representatives that we need their immediate and long-term support, including a strategy and program for the continued arrival of refugees and asylum seekers.The first step starts in the next couple of days: planning for those who are unsheltered in our communities, including those who must be relocated from post-secondary residences. Within the next few weeks, we need capital and operating support to further expand our shelter system and increase resources for affordable rental housing. We need a plan to address financial deficits—currently being carried by municipalities—to provide this much-needed support.We look forward to working with the federal and provincial government on next steps to ensure the GTHA remains a welcoming and supportive place for newcomers."