Skip to Main content

14.34°^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

At least seven structures destroyed as Fraser Canyon wildfire intensifies

At least seven structures have been destroyed as a fast-moving wildfire burns through British Columbia's Fraser Canyon region, according to local officials. The Fraser Valley Regional District said the damage was caused by the Brunswick Wildfire Complex, which includes the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires. Most of the destruction occurred near the Blue Lake Resort outside Boston Bar. Regional district spokesperson Samantha Piper said the destroyed structures include four residential buildings and seasonal cabins used to accommodate visitors, along with three commercial support struc

nine-parked-vehicles-damaged-in-surreys-newton-neighbourhood-police-seek-suspects

Nine parked vehicles damaged in Surrey's Newton neighbourhood, police seek suspects

Surrey Police Service is investigating a series of vehicle vandalism incidents after nine parked vehicles were found with smashed windows in the city's Newton neighbourhood early Wednesday morning. According to police, officers responded at about 5 a.m. to reports of vehicle windows being smashed near 75 Avenue and 147A Street. By the time officers arrived, the suspects had fled the area. Investigators found that the front, rear and side windows of nine separate parked vehicles had been damaged. Police have reviewed CCTV footage from the area, which shows two suspects believed to be involved i

federal-government-to-acquire-190-armoured-vehicles-in-2b-deal-to-strengthen-canadian-army

CanadaJul 16, 2026

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili

bc-conservative-mla-harman-bhangu-criticizes-forestry-minister-over-mill-closures-job-losses

BC Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu criticizes forestry minister over mill closures, job losses

Political debate over British Columbia's struggling forestry sector intensified Thursday after BC Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu criticized Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, alleging the provincial government has failed to respond effectively to ongoing mill closures and forestry job losses. In a statement, Bhangu pointed to Canfor's Northwood pulp mill closure in Prince George, saying each mill shutdown results in the loss of hundreds of jobs and has broader economic consequences for local businesses and resource-dependent communities. He said residents in forestry communities across the province

sit-summons-sukhbir-singh-badal-for-questioning-in-behbal-kalan-and-kotkapura-firing-probe

IndiaJul 16, 2026

SIT summons Sukhbir Singh Badal for questioning in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing probe

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing cases has issued a notice to Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, directing him to appear for questioning on Monday. According to the SIT, the fresh summons follows the statement of BJP leader Vijay Sampla, who told investigators he did not sign a memorandum submitted to the Punjab Governor with Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the sacrilege incidents. Investigators are seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the document and the facts related to its submission. Las

Related News

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital