Latest news with #IRCC
National Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. Article content According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. Article content Article content Article content 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Article content Article content 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. Article content The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. Article content 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Article content Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Article content Article content Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. Article content The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. Article content IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. Article content 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' Article content IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. Article content 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' Article content The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Article content Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. Article content 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Article content Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' Article content
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' — with files from Canadian Press Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Ottawa ends funding for asylum seekers' hotel rooms after seven years, $1.2 billion
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Federally funded hotels 'were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems,' spokesperson says A group of women outside the Radisson hotel at Hwy 401 and Victoria Park Avenue in Toronto on Oct. 2, 2018. The government is ending its program of hotel rooms for asylum seekers this year. Photo by Jack Boland / Postmedia The federal government is on the verge of phasing out a program that sees asylum seekers stay in hotels on Ottawa's dime. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said that funding will end in September. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors According to IRCC, the government is currently housing close to 500 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, far fewer than the 2023 peak at hotels across Canada. It has spent more than $1.2 billion on temporary hotel housing since 2020. 'IRCC-funded hotels were always a temporary measure to support local shelter systems as the use of hotels is not a sustainable, cost-effective solution,' a spokesperson from the department told National Post in an email. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'IRCC will continue supporting provinces and municipalities in developing their own long-term housing strategies. This shift will reduce costs to Canadians and improve outcomes for claimants. The hotel plan began in 2018 with a pledge of $50 million to help provinces and municipalities deal with housing for asylum seekers. That included $11 million for the City of Toronto. 'We have a clear plan for managing asylum seeker pressures and continue to act to support our partners,' Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said at the time. 'Our largest cities have shown tremendous leadership in their response to the recent influx of asylum seekers. Toronto and Montreal, as major population centres, face the greatest challenges when it comes to housing asylum claimants, and we will continue to work with them to come up with long-term, workable solutions to those challenges.' Costs have skyrocketed since then. Government figures show that, in 2018-19, funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program, or IHAP, amounted to $29 million for Ontario and Manitoba. The following year the program expanded to include Quebec and British Columbia, and the price tag was $342 million. Costs fell a little in future years, but in 2024-25, payments pending total $300 million. Asylum claims have also increased over the span of the program. In 2019, government figures show there were 64,000 asylum claims in Canada. That fell during the early years of the pandemic but rose to 92,000 in 2022, 144,000 the following year, and 173,000 last year. The government notes that, at its peak in late 2023, the federal hotel footprint included 46 sites from Vancouver to St. John's at an average cost of $205 per night. While stays were inherently temporary, it notes, there was no enforcement on length of stay. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. IRCC says its new plan involves reception centres that will provide immediate short-term housing and other services to asylum seekers; relocation to other jurisdictions, including other provinces with more affordable housing and jobs; and a plan for housing independence, in which claimants transition into receiving communities and jobs. 'Through early investments in IHAP, the federal government has already supported the opening of a reception centre in Peel and transitional housing options in Ottawa,' the spokesperson told National Post. 'Future IHAP investments will add more housing capacity for asylum claimants.' IHAP is no longer accepting new applicants for its hotel program, and has been winding it down in anticipation of the September end date, the spokesperson said. 'Since January 2024, IRCC has helped over 15,000 claimants transition to independent living, and it will continue to assist those currently on site with securing longer-term housing until September 30, 2025.' The spokesperson added: 'As of July 2025, IRCC has rooms leased in one hotel in Quebec and four hotels in Ontario, with a total of 485 asylum claimants. IRCC remains committed to supporting claimants during this transition, working with service providers to assist with housing, employment, and essential services.' Experts and advocates say that could be difficult in cities where demand is high. 'What they need to do is actually put something in place to make sure refugees don't fall on their face,' said Nadine Miller, executive director of Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church, which took in dozens of refugees in Toronto two years ago as shelters overflowed. 'We've been picking up the pieces since 2023.' Her suggestion: 'Get their paperwork processed faster. That's the biggest problem they're having. If you sit in a hotel for two, three, four months or even a year, and you don't have a work permit, what that does for you is you're no further than the day you came in.' — with files from Canadian Press Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
One in Eight Language Education Programs Shut Down: Immigration Policy Putting Canada's Official Languages Sector at Risk
OTTAWA, ON, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - According to Languages Canada, over 13% of Canada's accredited English and French language education programs closed in the first quarter of 2025 alone, marking the sharpest decline in the sector's history. The number of accredited Official Languages programs is now at its lowest since 2011. The sector has seen a dramatic decline in recent years. In 2019, it generated $6.7 billion in economic activity and supported over 75,000 jobs. In 2024, those numbers shrank to $3.7 billion and 35,000, despite Canada's global reputation for quality language education and its recognition as a top destination for English and French language learning. "Canada's immigration system has become unpredictable and unwelcoming," said Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director of Languages Canada. "Students and their families now see Canada as too risky, and institutions are finding that Official Languages programs are no longer financially viable." A Policy Crisis of Canada's Own Making In 2024 alone, 13 major changes were made to IRCC's International Student Program, all in response to issues unrelated to language education, such as housing and workforce gaps. Yet none considered the impact on Canada's Official Languages programs, which play a unique and strategic role in national infrastructure, productivity and identity. These programs were not responsible for housing shortages (most students live with Canadian families during their studies) and did not displace Canadian workers (language students are not allowed to work). Nevertheless, they have borne the brunt of poorly targeted policies. The most recent policy change prevents Official Languages students from transitioning smoothly into post-secondary programs, dismantling long-standing and effective pathways between Canadian institutions. This not only undermines decades of successful collaboration but also puts students and their families in precarious situations. As Peralta observes, "We rightly express concern when Canadian students are denied opportunities in the U.S. due to unfair policies—but the truth is, tens of thousands of international students already in Canada are now facing similar injustices here."Retention, Productivity, and Integration at Stake Research shows that international students completing language programs before entering post-secondary studies in Canada have higher GPAs and better retention outcomes, offering a measurable return on investment for institutions. These programs also foster better integration into communities, and a safer and more productive workforce. "Language is not just a learning outcome—it's national infrastructure," added Peralta. "It drives academic success, workplace productivity, and social cohesion." A Loss of Identity Beyond economics and student success, the erosion of Canada's Official Languages education sector represents a profound cultural loss. Canada's bilingual identity is a cornerstone of its values and global brand. As language programs disappear, so too does Canada's commitment to inclusion, diversity, and shared identity through its Official Languages. As Peralta concludes: "My hope is that our newly elected government asks how Official Languages education can be a strategic advantage to the country, as infrastructure to reaffirm Canadian identity, support productivity in all sectors, and foster inclusive and socially cohesive communities." About Languages Canada Languages Canada is the voice of Canada's official languages education providers. Our 170 members include English and French public college and university language programs and private language schools, located across nine provinces. Collectively, they welcomed 97,000 international and domestic students into Canadian classrooms and communities in 2024 (down from 150,000 in 2019). Languages Canada members are committed to operating in accordance with the LC Quality Assurance Framework and Accreditation Scheme, which are rooted in student protection, quality education, and ethical business practice. To learn more, visit SOURCE Languages Canada View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Foreign-trained nurses: Canada offers free help before and after you arrive
Internationally educated nurses (IENs) planning to move to Canada can now benefit from a specialized, government-funded programme designed to ease their integration into the country's healthcare system. The Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS), offered by the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, is now open to qualifying nurses who have completed their nursing education abroad and received confirmation of their Canadian permanent residency. Funded by the federal government, the PASS program is completely free of charge and is split into two streams: PASS Pre-Arrival Programme: Available to nurses located outside Canada who have received their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). PASS Post-Arrival Programme: Tailored for nurses who have already arrived in Canada and are seeking professional integration. There is no cost for PASS newcomer services. Internationally Educated Nurses must have proof of graduation from a nursing school and a letter of immigration confirmation from the Government of Canada. Bridging the Gap for Foreign-Trained Nurses The PASS program provides a comprehensive suite of services aimed at helping IENs navigate the complex Canadian healthcare and licensing systems. Support includes: 84 hours of online communication training focused on Canadian nursing vocabulary, inter-professional communication, documentation, conflict resolution, and therapeutic interaction. Mentorship by experienced Canadian nurses, certified by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), and tailored by province or nursing specialty. Webinars and workshops on provincial licensing processes, employment opportunities, and labor market trends. One-on-one case management to help newcomers chart a path toward licensing and employment, and to connect with provincial and peer networks Eligibility Requirements To qualify for the PASS program, applicants must: Have completed a recognized nursing education program in their home country and hold proof such as a certificate, diploma, or degree. Have received official confirmation of permanent residency from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Accepted PR documents include COPR letters, single-entry PR visas, PR visa pick-up notices, and IRCC notifications about pre-arrival services or medical exams. How to Apply Interested nurses can apply online by visiting Applicants must submit their educational documents and proof of PR confirmation. After review, a PASS case manager will connect with them to begin the support journey. The PASS program is a timely response to Canada's growing demand for healthcare professionals and ensures that skilled nurses arriving from abroad are not only welcomed — but empowered to thrive.
