Doug Ford backs down on plan to issue work permits to asylum-seekers
touted it at the annual premiers' conference
, citing frustration at the cost of housing them and federal processing backlogs.
The abrupt turnaround follows a flurry of
questions about how Ontario and other provinces could legally bypass the federal asylum claims approval process
— with even senior staff in Ford's office unsure of next steps.
'We aren't taking it over,' Ford acknowledged Monday.
But the premier repeated his call for the federal government to speed up processing and urged a continuation of funding to support the cost of putting up asylum-seekers in hotels and other accommodations, as well as providing them health care and education.
'We're frustrated. The premiers are frustrated,' he said when asked to explain the about-face.
It came five days after he pledged 'I'm not waiting any longer' to issue work permits because the accommodations and other supports are 'costing our province an absolute fortune.' He maintained there is overlap between federal and provincial powers over immigration under Section 95 of the Constitution that leaves room for the provinces to step in.
Ford made those comments last Wednesday in his closing news conference as chair of the Council of the Federation, a group representing the premiers which held its annual meeting at a resort in Huntsville, Ont. Ford passes the role to Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz on Friday.
At the premiers' conference, the provinces stressed they need more control over immigration to their jurisdictions, in the same way Quebec enjoys.
'We need increased autonomy so that we as a province are able to bring in and support the kind of economic immigrants that are going to support certain sectors of and ensure people have a pathway to contribute,' said Labour Minister David Piccini, standing beside Ford on Monday outside his Queen's Park office.
'To give you all an example, right now, we don't know what happens when an asylum claimant is rejected,' he added. 'The federal government (is) processing fewer asylum claimants and are being made in the province of Ontario today.'
Ford said Ontario would like to work more closely with the federal government to get a better handle on the system, claiming that some people in hotels in his riding of Etobicoke North have been waiting two years for work permits.
But Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says they are usually issued
within 45 days
.
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CNN
39 minutes ago
- CNN
Britain to recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire
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Yahoo
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Gary Neville hits out at Rachel Reeves over national insurance hike
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Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Why Jeffries' redistricting idea is so unlikely in NJ
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Democrats have slightly more than the three-fifths majorities they need in both houses to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. But even if they were to get all their members on board with the plan — far from a given — I still doubt they'd be able to pull it off. The state Constitution requires constitutional amendments be published in newspapers in each county 'not less than three months prior to submission to the people.' Notwithstanding the dearth of newspapers, that makes the deadline Aug. 4, according to the Division of Elections, which I trust more than myself to do the math. But even if Democratic leaders got virtually all their members to come back from vacation and support an amendment before Aug. 4, they still likely wouldn't be able to get it on the ballot in time to affect the 2026 midterms. The constitution requires lawmaker to wait at least 20 days following an amendment's introduction, then hold a public hearing, before they can vote on it. I'm no lawyer or constitutional scholar, so I called law professor Ronald Chen, who's also worked on congressional and state redistricting commissions. And he agreed there's no way to do it in time for the Nov. 4 general election. Chen noted one possible way to do it: If the Legislature passes a law to delay the general election. And Democrats did delay the primary a week so as not to conflict with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. But this would require an election delay of at least three weeks. And given that Democrats already have a friendly congressional map with very few options to gain more than the nine seats they hold, it seems like an extraordinarily unlikely gambit. But perhaps there's a way for Gov. Phil Murphy fire the First Assistant Constitution and replace it with an Acting Constitution. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ SHOW ME THE WAY: Acting Gov. Way has no public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'This is smart. As things stand, McGreevey is on track to be the next mayor. 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LIKE ERASING HISTORY WITH LIGHTNING — 'New Brunswick will rename Woodrow Wilson school to 'better reflect the community',' by MyCentralJersey's Cheryl Makin: 'The Board is Education is seeking nominations to help rename Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, named for the 28th president who is said to have had questionable ties to the Ku Klux Klan and racist leanings. On the heels of Princeton University, where Wilson served as its president for from 1902 to 1910, Monmouth University and the Camden School District which all have erased his name from buildings, New Brunswick Public Schools is seeking the same change 'that would better reflect the community.'' TOWN HALL EMPLOYEES GET SURPRISE INVITATION TO TURKISH BATH WITH PAULIE WALNUTS — 'Are there rats in Brick Town Hall?' by Jersey Shore Online's Bob Vosseller: 'Usually when someone says there are rats in town hall it is meant as an insult aimed at those serving in public office but recently that question has come up in a more literal sense. Mayor Lisa Crate and Business Administrator Joanne Bergin both told The Brick Times that despite commentary to the contrary by township employees, there is no rat infestation within Town Hall located at 401 Chambers Bridge Road. Bergin didn't rule out that a mouse might have found its way into the building that was built in the 1970s. Three employees who spoke anonymously with The Brick Times, saying they feared losing their jobs if they went public, made it clear that someone witnessed more than one rat in the building.' — 'Atlantic County homelessness surges 60% — officials cite 'housing affordability crisis'' —'Atlantic City Housing Authority votes to authorize response to HUD takeover' —'Glassboro-Camden Line closer than ever, but hurdles remain before construction can begin' —'Paterson police named in wrongful-death lawsuit by Najee Seabrooks' family seek dismissal' —'Camden police are now deploying social workers to city streets' —'DEP to unveil Liberty State Park Plan at open house next week' —'Essex prosecutor arrested for drunk driving still trying cases' —'Bayonne hospital workers & Jersey City nurses avoid strikes, ratify new contracts' —'Massive AI data center with major energy needs under construction in [Vineland]' EVERYTHING ELSE MILLZINNS — 'Rutgers set to make Keli Zinn its highest-paid athletic director ever,' by NJ Advance Media's Steve Politi and Brian Fonseca: 'The Rutgers Board of Governors is expected on Wednesday to approve a five-year contract for Keli Zinn that would make the longtime college administrator the highest-paid athletic director in school history, a person with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media. Zinn, who is currently the executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at LSU, is set to make a base salary of $1.35 million that can rise if the athletic department hits any of the multiple incentives in the deal, the person said.' COUP D'WAH — 'Chief of Ramapough Lenape Nation in Mahwah unseated, arrested in tribal dispute,' by The Record's Marsha Stoltz: 'Dwaine Perry, principal chief of the 5,000-member Ramapough Lenape Nation since 2007, has been permanently removed from office by its Tribal Council and arrested for trespassing for trying to enter its Community Center on Stag Hill Road. The Tribal Council first announced Perry's 'temporary suspension' for alleged 'serious violations' in a May 27 statement. A hearing was reportedly held on June 1, and the Tribal Council announced on June 13 that it had 'voted unanimously to permanently remove, ban and disqualify former Chief Dwaine C. Perry from holding any current or future office.' Perry was arrested on July 22 for attempting to enter the tribe's Community Center, police reports show. … Perry, through his attorney Lydia Cotz, characterized the Tribal Council accusations as part of an attempted 'illegal coup.'' —''Jeopardy!' champ with 16-game streak addresses theory he deliberately lost final match' —'Meet the N.J. lifeguard who has been patrolling the Jersey Shore for decades' — 'Tolls could rise on Delaware River bridges connecting NJ and Pennsylvania'
