A coalition of predominantly black-led groups demanded Friday that the city adopt recommendations from a report critical of denying refugee claims access to beds in its homeless shelter system in 2022 and 2023.
Ombudsman Kwame Addo's report released last week found the city's decision to stop giving refugees access to beds in its base shelter system was “poorly thought out, planned and communicated” and anti-black racism. City manager Paul Johnson said he did not agree with the report's findings.
In the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, although the report was understood, there was no discussion or discussion on its recommendations.
Kizito Musabimana, president of the African Canadian Collective, said at a press conference this week that the city's decision to deny refugee claimants spaces in its shelter system was “definitely systemic racism.”
Musabimana said there appears to be a lack of compassion and empathy among government officials, a “crisis of bureaucracy” and a government system that prioritizes process over people. He said that the council should not only accept the recommendations but also set a deadline for implementation.
“We are speaking for all African black refugee claimants. Today, we are speaking for all black people when we say change must come. Change must come today and we will not settle for anything less,” he said.
Musabimana said he was contacted Friday by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who asked for a conversation about the report. He said he had indicated to the council that he was disappointed with how the issue was handled and wanted to apologize to the community. He said that the dialogue should be made public.
“We all welcome the mayor's decision and we look forward to a public conversation, a conversation that includes everyone,” Musabimana said.
CBC Toronto reached out to Chow's office for comment but has not yet heard back. At council Wednesday evening, Chow said she is committed to holding a meeting to discuss the report, and that the meeting will include staff and councillors. It is not decided when and where that meeting will take place.
Saleh Sheikh, a member of the advocacy group Crisis in Our Cities Network, said the decision to deny asylum to asylum seekers made them feel unwelcome and unsafe in Toronto.
“Anti-black racism is real, and we've seen black refugees treated this way. That shouldn't happen,” Shehak said. “It's not just a call to action, it's a call to justice, fairness and humanity.”
Savannah Wilson, spokeswoman for the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness, said black community leaders, African churches, volunteers and private citizens have stepped up to meet the needs of refugee claimants excluded from the shelter system, saying the decision harms and rejects refugees. their basic human rights.
Wilson said those people are stepping up to say enough is enough.
“This report calls for concrete action and the City of Toronto must uphold its legal and moral obligation to realize the right to housing for all today,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the remedies are clear and simple: “Shelter access is equitable and consistent with the Toronto Housing Charter, ensure decisions are made transparently and affected community members are involved in policy development, and commit to accountability by establishing mechanisms to report on this implementation.”
Count. Michael Thompson, who tried unsuccessfully to reopen the discussion Wednesday, said he wants the council to reconsider the issue.
“The council did not want to question the ombudsman, did not seek to challenge his findings, did not investigate his report to find any bias or untruths about how the refugee settlement scheme treated us,” he said. “No, no, no, far from it.”
“I would like to reopen the matter to the council and have a full discussion and ensure that the recommendations are accepted.”
Refugees had limited access to food, water, the report said
In the report, Addo recommended that any future changes to shelter eligibility be reviewed by agencies including the city's Office of Human Rights, that shelter staff and leadership receive anti-black racism training, and that the city develop a strategy to engage with refugee claimants. and the organizations that serve them.
On November 7, 2022, Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) staff decided to stop giving refugee claimants access to non-refugee-claim beds due to a lack of space in the city's shelter system, according to the report.
On May 31, 2023, the city announced the eligibility change at a press conference, saying staff and elected officials were forced to refer refugee claims to federal support due to a lack of provincial and federal funding.
“The City did not measure the impact of this eligibility change; it did not track the number of refugee claimants affected, or why refugee claimants were not given beds…many refugee claimants were living on sidewalks or in make-shift shelters with limited access to sanitation, food and water,” the report reads. .
The council reversed the change on July 19, 2022, but it took nearly two months for the decision to be implemented and for the city to return to universal access for shelter users, the report adds.
In a news release, Addo said the city needed to be transparent and proportionate in its decisions about access to critical services, but instead fell short.
“For refugee claimants, the city's decision has played a significant role in the emotional pain they have experienced. It has left many feeling alienated, invisible and unappreciated in a city that is expected to provide safety and support.”
