Skip to Main content

17.5°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 18, 2023 5:27 PM - The Canadian Press

Ottawa gives $212M funding boost for housing asylum seekers

Share On

ottawa-gives-212m-funding-boost-for-housing-asylum-seekers

A church in Toronto is now reportedly housing them temporarily.

The federal government is announcing $212 million more in funding for interim housing for people claiming asylum in Canada, including about $97 million for Toronto.

The city has been seeing asylum seekers and refugee claimants sleeping on the sidewalks, unable to get a space in Toronto's overwhelmed shelter system.

A church in Toronto is now reportedly housing them temporarily.

Officials have said that the number of asylum seekers in Toronto's shelter system grew by 500 per cent in 20 months and the city has had to turn them away from at-capacity shelters toward federal programs.

Mayor Olivia Chow has asked for Ottawa to cover the $157 million Toronto is spending for existing refugee shelter spaces, and support with additional housing, shelter space and personnel.

Sean Fraser, the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship announced the new funding today, saying it will ensure Toronto and other cities can keep a roof over the heads of people fleeing violence, war and persecution.

Latest news

Highway 97 in Summerland Temporarily Reopens Under Strict Rules

Highway 97 in Summerland, B.C., which had been closed due to wildfire activity, has been temporarily reopened under strict traffic restrictions. According to the Ministry of Transportation, the highway will only be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During these hours, drivers are strictly prohibited from stopping anywhere along the highway. All exits and side roads leading off the highway will also remain closed, and speed restrictions are in place. The government has warned that the area remains an active wildfire zone, meaning conditions could change at any time. Drivers have been instructed

rcmp-seeks-public-assistance-in-locating-amandeep-singh

RCMP seeks public assistance in locating Amandeep Singh

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating 45-year-old Amandeep Singh, who was reported missing on August 8, 2026. Singh was last seen on August 6, 2026. He is described as South Asian, approximately 5 feet 7 inches (154 cm) tall and weighing 172 pounds (78 kg). He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who may have information about Amandeep Singh’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

sukhbir-badal-discharged-from-hospital-gives-first-statement-after-attack

IndiaAug 14, 2026

Sukhbir Badal Discharged from Hospital, Gives First Statement After Attack

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was discharged from a hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Friday, a day after surviving a life-threatening attack. Speaking to the media for the first time since the incident, Badal said that communal and religious harmony remains the top priority for his party. Recalling his late father and former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir said he had never compromised with communal forces. He always stood by the people and believed that people of all religions and communities should live together in peace and harmony. Sukhbir Badal su

canada-u-s-trade-talks-intensify-as-50-tariff-deadline-nears

CanadaAug 14, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Intensify as 50% Tariff Deadline Nears

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to brief the federal trade cabinet and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s advisory committee today on the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, as the August 19 deadline for a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods rapidly approaches. Following a series of meetings in Washington with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian officials are working on a common trade framework that could be presented to U.S. President Donald Trump for approval as early as next week. LeBlanc and Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette

AlbertaAug 14, 2026

Alberta plans 100-year study of province’s water security

The Alberta government has issued a request for proposals for a $400,000 study examining the long-term security of the province’s water supply. Environment Minister Grant Hunter says the study will look 100 years into the future and explore new ways Alberta should invest in and build water infrastructure, while also helping guide future water-management policies. Hunter says Alberta’s population, industrial sector and agricultural industry are all expanding, making reliable access to water essential to sustaining economic and population growth. The study will also examine major water infra

Related News

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Intensify as 50% Tariff Deadline Nears

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Intensify as 50% Tariff Deadline Nears

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to brief the federal trade cabinet and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s advisory committee today on the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, as the August 19 deadline for a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods rapidly approaches. Following a series of meetings in Washington with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian officials are working on a common trade framework that could be presented to U.S. President Donald Trump for approval as early as next week. LeBlanc and Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette

Saskatchewan sees 40% drop in U.S. alcohol and wine sales

Saskatchewan sees 40% drop in U.S. alcohol and wine sales

Saskatchewan recorded a 40% decline in sales of American alcohol and wine during 2025-26, with California wines among the hardest hit. The decline comes a year after the provincial government decided to return American alcohol to liquor stores despite the ongoing tariff dispute. However, consumers appear to have voluntarily distanced themselves from U.S. brands. At the same time, sales of locally produced Saskatchewan alcohol increased by 5%, suggesting that some consumers are choosing domestic alternatives. Retailers say demand for popular American bourbon brands such as Jack Daniel’s and J

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Leaders of several Sikh, Muslim and human rights organizations in Canada are urging the federal government to prevent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from entering the country. During a press conference in Ottawa, representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, World Sikh Organization of Canada, Hindus for Human Rights and Justice for All Canada called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to declare Bhagwat inadmissible to Canada. New Democratic Party MP Heather McPherson also supported the demand, saying the Canadian government is moving in the wrong direction by allegedly givin

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital