Asylum seekers, refugees relocated from downtown Toronto streets to North York church
Global News
Asylum seekers and refugees who were camped out along the streets of downtown Toronto waiting for shelter and housing have been temporarily relocated to a church in North York.
Asylum seekers and refugees who were camped out along the streets of downtown Toronto waiting for shelter and housing have been temporarily relocated to a church in North York.
Dozens of people had been living in tents along Richmond and Peter streets outside of a city intake centre due to an ongoing funding battle between the City of Toronto and the federal government.
The city said had previously said shelters were already packed to capacity and it recently changed its policy regarding asylum seekers, referring them to the federal government rather than paying for their shelter spaces.
The back-and-forth between governments over responsibility for refugees has seen people arriving at Pearson International Airport left on the streets of Toronto in the hot sun or rain while they wait for temporary housing or shelter space.
Late Monday night, with the help of community members and advocates, around 200 refugees were moved to Revivaltime Tabernacle Downsview on Dufferin Street just south of Finch.
Mohamad Fakih, local philanthropist, businessman and Paramount Fine Foods founder, has pledged $20,000 to help fund what’s needed to get them support.
Judith James, pastor at Revivaltime Tabernacle Downsview, told Global News that she hopes to hear from the government soon.
“I hope that they call us. I hope they want to hear from us, about us. I hope that they want to understand what it’s really taking to take care of these people and that they will do what’s right,” James said.
Aid shipments are beginning to arrive in Cuba and a Russian oil delivery is expected this month, but fuel shortages remain critical.
Tensions flared as CAQ leadership rivals clashed over Quebec’s “third link” project in the first debate to replace Premier François Legault.
Toronto police have charged a 60-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Xian Wei Shao, whose remains were discovered in a north end home last week.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the government has found ways to cut spending by $60 billion but cautions that published spending cuts require important context.
Three Canadians from Quebec who were stranded in the Persian Gulf since Feb. 28 have returned home following a coordinated repatriation effort.
Federal departments announced that they plan to cut more than 12,000 jobs over three years as part of the Carney government’s spending review plan.
Canada’s Integrated Threat Assessment Centre says the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has heightened an already present threat against Jewish Canadians and public officials.
Edward Warner, his wife Tania and his seven-year-old step-daughter Ayla were coming back from a friend's baby shower on Saturday when they went through an ICE checkpoint in Sarita.
A fire chief from a village that battled flames during Saskatchewan's destructive wildfire season last year says the province's latest budget does not provide enough funding.
Manitoba’s upcoming budget will include more child care funding and a smaller deficit, as the NDP government aims to balance finances by 2027.
A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg has just been crowned the World's Strongest Firefighter, outlifting athletes from around the world.
Muslims across Canada are celebrating Eid al-Fitr while some reflect on conflict affecting loved ones abroad, as leaders highlight unity, charity and renewal.
The Iran war has raised the price of crude oil beyond US$110 per barrel in international markets, spurring affordability concerns in Canada and around the world.