What is Canada’s Plan for Refugee Claimants?

In recent months, several headlines have pointed to the alarming number of refugee claimants struggling to secure housing in major Canadian cities, often leaving them relying on overburdened shelters and being forced to sleep in the streets. These headlines stand in stark contrast to Canada’s reputation as a country that is welcoming to newcomers.While there are many programs in place that provide a fulsome welcome to resettled refugees, there are significantly fewer resources, and more barriers for those submitting a refugee claim in-country. 

The number of people submitting refugee claims in Canada has steadily increased throughout the years, in 2023 the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) received 137,947 asylum claims, compared to 58,378  in 2019. Despite this, the Canadian government lacks a strategy to address the short and long term housing needs of refugee claimants. Canada needs to implement a comprehensive plan that supports the housing and social needs of refugee claimants. This plan must be informed by organizations that work directly with refugee claimants, as well as refugee claimants themselves who are best positioned to articulate their needs upon claiming asylum in Canada. 

The difficulties of accessing long term housing in a country that is grappling with an affordability crisis is compounded for refugee claimants.

The term “refugee claimants” refers to individuals who legally claim asylum upon arrival in Canada. Unlike Government Assisted Refugees or refugees brought through the Private Sponsorship Program, refugee claimants do not receive dedicated and robust housing and social  support. According to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, the projected wait time for refugee claims is approximately 2 years. Without a coordinated community focused plan, refugee claimants do not have the adequate informational, social and financial support to navigate housing, employment and legal processes in Canada. 

As a signatory to the Refugee Convention, Canada has an obligation to fulfill the basic minimum standards for refugees, which includes a right to due process, and access to housing. By not planning accordingly and providing adequate housing for asylum seekers, Canada is failing to fulfill its responsibilities as a signatory to the Convention, with devastating consequences for thousands fleeing persecution and imminent threats. On March 3rd, Delphina Ngigi, a Kenyan asylum seeker, died after waiting in the cold at a Mississauga shelter. Ngigi had arrived in Canada just three days prior. 

It is crucial that any proposed housing strategy centers the voices of organizations that work closely with refugee claimants, and refugee claimants themselves.

Current responses at the federal level to the housing needs of refugee claimants are ad hoc in nature and fall short of the support that municipalities require.  For example, the federal government provided Toronto with a one time payment of $97 million through the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP). However, the city of Toronto notes that this amount falls short of the estimated $200 million that was needed for 2023. Further, the difficulties of accessing long term housing in a country that is grappling with an affordability crisis is compounded for refugee claimants. Frontline workers and housing counselors have noted that refugees face several barriers including: discrimination, inadequate housing sizes, lack of Canadian credit scores, lack of guarantors, lack of knowledge on Canadian financial and housing systems, and language barriers. There is specifically a lack of diverse affordable housing in metropolitan areas that are in close proximity to community networks and social services that refugees rely on.

The decision to seek asylum is one that is extremely difficult and woven with uncertainty and vulnerabilities. As a country that is a signatory to the Refugee Convention, Canada has the responsibility to uphold the rights of refugee claimants, which includes the provision of adequate housing and social support. A comprehensive plan addressing the housing needs of refugee claimants requires better coordination and a united front between all three levels of government. It is crucial that any proposed housing strategy centers the voices of organizations that work closely with refugee claimants, and refugee claimants themselves. As global crises continue to displace millions, and Canada works to make it harder for refugee claimants to access its borders, we must take a strong stance and call on our Government to fulfill its human rights obligations.

Photo courtesy of Can Pac Swire on Flickr