"Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century:
New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy
and Legislation" - Announcement by Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration - January 6, 1999
(City Council on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, deferred consideration of this Clause to its next
meeting on April 13, 1999.)
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(Clause No. 10 of Report No. 5 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed
"Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century:
New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy and Legislation"
- Announcement by Minister of Citizenship and Immigration - January 6, 1999")
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The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends:
(1)the adoption of the joint report (February 9, 1999) from the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of Human
Resources; subject to striking out the following Items Nos. (6) and (7) contained therein,
appearing under the section entitled "Comments and/or Discussion and/or
Justification":
"(6)Undocumented convention refugees:
The document on new directions proposes a reduction in the waiting period from five to
three years before the undocumented refugees can apply for landing. While this
proposal is an improvement on the present policy, it does not address the issue of
establishing other means of identification for the purpose of applying for permanent
residence, such as affidavits. The delay in obtaining permanent resident status would
prevent the refugees from accessing benefits available to landed immigrants and prolong
their dependence on social assistance, which would have financial implications on the
City.
"(7)Inland refugee determination process and security measures:
The immigrant and refugee service sector has expressed concern about a few proposals
in the inland refugee determination process and security measures. For instance, a
30-day time limit for making a refugee claim, with exception in "compelling
circumstances" will make certain categories of refugee claimants, such as women fleeing
domestic violence or sexual assault and people fleeing persecution based on sexual
orientation, particularly vulnerable."; and
(2)that the Mayor be requested to arrange a meeting with the Honourable Lucienne
Robillard, Federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Honourable David
Collenette, Federal Minister responsible for the GTA, to discuss these issues.
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee reports, for the information of Council,
having requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:
(1)to submit a report directly to Council for its meeting scheduled to be held on March 2,
1999, on the cost of the City's immigration and refugee programs; and
(2)to prepare an inventory of immigration and refugee settlement programs and priorities
and report thereon to the appropriate standing committee.
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following joint report
(February9,1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
and Executive Director of Human Resources:
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to review the proposed directions for Canada's immigration and
refugee policy and legislation from the perspective of the City of Toronto's position on
immigrant and refugee issues. The proposed changes will have a significant impact on the
City of Toronto, which has the largest immigrant population of any metropolitan area in
Canada.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no immediate financial implications. If the City's recommendations are adopted by
the Federal Government, there may be potential for reimbursement to municipalities for some
social service costs provided to immigrants and refugees, and there may be significant
long-term impact on the decision-making, development and delivery of services to the
residents of the City who are immigrants and refugees.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)Council reaffirm its position on the Settlement Legislative Review of the Immigration
Act as identified in the March 1998 response to the Settlement Legislative Review
consultation, and the recommendations on the Urban Forum on Immigration and Refugee
Issues addressed in the Chief Administrative Officer's report to the Task Force on Community
Access and Equity in May, 1998, specifically:
(i)the inclusion of the City of Toronto by the Federal Government in formal consultation
and collaboration on relevant policy issues;
(ii)the maintenance of an ongoing federal role in settlement services with a commitment to
establishing clear accountability guidelines and providing adequate funds to the
community-based sector to ensure equitable access to settlement services;
(iii)the reimbursement to municipalities for social assistance, hostel and other service costs
borne by the municipalities for services and programs provided to immigrants and refugees;
(iv)a review of the impact of the right of landing fee and the waiting period for landing
required for undocumented convention refugees on the settlement and integration of
immigrants and refugees by the Federal Government; and
(v)a firm commitment to access to trades and professions be reflected in the new
immigration and refugee policy and legislation;
(2)this report be forwarded to the Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues
to be incorporated in submission to Citizenship and Immigration Canada regarding the
proposed new directions for Canada's immigration and refugee policy and legislation;
(3)this report be forwarded to the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration;
(4)Council encourage the Federal Government to conduct broad and public consultation on
the proposed directions for the new immigration and refugee policy and legislation to ensure
all relevant stakeholders have an opportunity for input; and
(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to
give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On January 6, 1999, the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration, announced the directions for Canada's new immigration and refugee policy and
legislation in a document titled, "Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century: New
Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy". She invited comments on the
implementation of the policy and legislation proposals for consideration in developing a new
legislation. Appendix A provides a summary of the document, "Building on a Strong
Foundation for the 21st Century: New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy". This
document is available upon request through the City Clerk's office.
The Minister's invitation provides an opportunity for the City of Toronto to reiterate the
City's position on immigration and refugee policies and programs, and renew its proposal to
the Federal Government that the City be included in formal consultation and collaboration on
relevant policy issues.
The current City of Toronto's policies on immigrant and refugee settlement and integration
are outlined in the recommendations on Immigrant Legislative Review from the Community
and Neighbourhood Services Committee, and the Chief Administrative Officer's report to the
Task Force on Community Access and Equity on the Urban Forum on Immigration and
Refugee Issues. The Advisory Committee On Immigration and Refugee Issues, chaired by
Councillor David Miller, has continued to identify and respond to immigration and refugee
issues. The Advisory Committee has recommended that the immigration and refugee policies
and programs of the City's former municipalities be fully integrated into the City's policy and
programs.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Toronto has the largest immigrant population of any metropolitan area in Canada. According
to the 1996 Census, approximately 48 percent of the Toronto's population was made up of
immigrants and refugees. By the year 2001, foreign-born residents will comprise the majority
of the City's population. Over 70,000 immigrants come to Toronto every year, and
approximately 60 percent of the refugee claims in Ontario originate in Toronto. Newcomers
have shaped the diverse social, cultural, political and economic landscape of Toronto. They
have created a vibrant, thriving and dynamic community in the City. Further, as a result of
declining birth rates, immigration is expected to be the main source of population growth in
Toronto in the future. The City therefore has a fundamental stake in any changes that might be
made to the legislation and policies regarding immigration and refugees.
The document on the new directions for immigration and refugee policy and legislation has
some positive proposals, for example:
(1)separating the immigration program and refugee protection program in two distinct
sections in the new Immigration Act;
(2)raising the age limit of a dependent child from under 19 years to under 22 years
recognizing common-law and same-sex spouses for sponsorship programs through regulation;
and
(3)allowing extended family members of refugees in the resettlement from abroad program
to be processed together overseas to promote speedy family reunion.
However, the proposed directions fail to address a number of key issues raised by the City of
Toronto:
(1)Formal consultation and collaboration:
The City of Toronto has requested, in its response to the Immigration Legislative Review, that
any federal-provincial structure created should include the City as a participant, and the
Federal Government should conduct formal consultations on significant policy developments
with municipalities. The 1998 report of the Immigration Legislative Advisory Group
commissioned by Citizenship and Immigration Canada also recommended the inclusion of
municipalities in formal consultations on relevant policy issues.
The proposed changes commit the Federal Government to conduct regular and structured
consultations with provincial and territorial governments. Municipalities are not included
except as stakeholders along with non-governmental organizations and consultants. The City
needs to reiterate its interest in being a full participant in these discussions.
(2)Cost recovery:
The document on new directions for immigration and refugee policy and legislation proposes
that Citizenship and Immigration Canada undertake collection action against defaulting
sponsors and share the proceeds with the province. However, this does not deal with the issue
raised by the City with respect to reimbursing municipalities the cost of social assistance and
emergency shelter for refugee claimants and immigrants who experience sponsorship
breakdowns. Council should reiterate its position that the Federal Government's responsibility
for these costs be included in the new legislation.
(3)Settlement renewal:
The document also does not provide any future directions on immigrant and refugee
settlement. While the Federal Government is devolving settlement services to the provinces, it
is essential that it establish and maintain clear accountability guidelines for settlement services
and be committed to adequate funding and equitable access to settlement services. Funding
cuts to the settlement service sector has in some instances resulted in a form of downloading
as the City attempts to fill in the gaps.
(4)Right of landing fee:
While the document acknowledges the importance of reuniting families, it does not address
the exceptional burden the right of landing fee (head tax) has imposed on low-income families
and refugees, and the obstacle to family reunification it has caused.
(5)Access to trades and professions:
There is a very general statement on working with the provinces and professional associations
on access to trades and professions.
(6)Undocumented convention refugees:
The document on new directions proposes a reduction in the waiting period from five to three
years before the undocumented refugees can apply for landing. While this proposal is an
improvement on the present policy, it does not address the issue of establishing other means
of identification for the purpose of applying for permanent residence, such as affidavits. The
delay in obtaining permanent resident status would prevent the refugees from accessing
benefits available to landed immigrants and prolong their dependence on social assistance,
which would have financial implications on the City.
(7)Inland refugee determination process and security measures:
The immigrant and refugee service sector has expressed concern about a few proposals in the
inland refugee determination process and security measures. For instance, a 30-day time limit
for making a refugee claim, with exception in "compelling circumstances" will make certain
categories of refugee claimants, such as women fleeing domestic violence or sexual assault
and people fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation, particularly vulnerable.
It is appropriate to forward these community concerns to the Advisory Committee on
immigration and Refugee Issues for consideration in developing the submission to Citizenship
and Immigration Canada.
Conclusion:
The City of Toronto, being the key destination for immigrants and refugees for Canada, is the
municipality most affected by federal immigration and refugee policy and legislation. The
document, "Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century: New Directions for
Immigration and Refugee Policy and Legislation", proposes significant changes to the existing
immigration and refugee policy and legislation. It is important that the City take this
opportunity to reiterate its position on immigration and refugee issues and request the Federal
Government to formally consult with municipalities in developing the new legislation.
Municipalities must deal with the impact of decisions made by other levels of government
which affect the immigration settlement process at the local level. The City should also
encourage the Federal government to consult broadly with immigrant and refugee service
sector and community and business groups who play an essential role in the settlement and
integration of immigrants and refugees.
Contact Name:
Rose Lee, Access and Equity Centre - 392-4991
Eric Gam, Social Development and Administration Division - 392-8238
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Appendix A
Summary of Proposed New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy and Legislation,
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, January 1999:
(1)Simplifying the Immigration Act:
The objectives of the Act will be updated and the Act will be redrafted in plain language and
will clearly state the immigration program and refugee program in two distinct sections.
(2)Strengthening partnerships:
Consultations with provincial and territorial governments will be regularized and widened,
while municipal governments will continue to be included in stakeholder consultations where
appropriate.
(3)Strengthening family reunification:
The current age limit for a dependent child is increased from under 19 years to under 22years.
(i)Older children who are financially dependent on their parents or dependent because of
physical and mental disability are continued to be included as dependent children.
(ii)Spouses and dependent children can apply from within Canada under certain conditions
if they have legal status.
(ii)The federal government proposes to discuss with provincial and territorial governments:
a) possible reduction in the length of sponsorships for spouses and dependent children, and b)
the possibility of removing inadmissibility on the basis of excessive demands on health and
social services and spouses and dependent children.
(iv)The federal government will promote the principle that an adopted child and a biological
child have the same rights.
(v)The definition of spouse is to be expanded to include common-law and same-sex
spouses.
(vi)CIC's power is to be expanded to undertake collection action against defaulting spouses
and to share the proceeds with the provinces.
(vii)Sponsorship by people in default of court-order obligation (alimony or child support)
and people convicted of domestic violence are prohibited.
(4)Modernizing the selection for skilled workers and business immigrants. The selection
system will:
(i)shift away from occupations in demand to sound and transferable skills sets;
(ii)add explicit requirements for education, language skills and significant business
experience; and
(ii)require the origin of funds to be established.
There is also a general statement of commitment to access to trades and professions.
(5)Facilitating the entry of highly skilled temporary foreign workers and students:
(i)The case-by-case validation of foreign workers is to be replaced by the use of a "national
validation letter".
(ii)Spouses of applicants will be authorized to accept any job offer in Canada.
(iii)Further measures are being explored to facilitate the entry of foreign students.
(6)Introducing transparent criteria for permanent residence status:
The residency requirement of six months in a year will be changed, and a secure identity card
to be valid for five years will be introduced.
(7)Strengthening refugee protection:
The resettlement from abroad program would shift towards protection and away from ability
to settle through such measures as:
(i)relaxing the requirement that refugees be able to settle within a year;
(ii) allowing extended family members to be processed together overseas to promote speedy
family reunion;
(iii)working more closely with non-governmental organizations in identifying, pre-screening
and resettling refugees;
(iv)ensuring the immediate entry into Canada of urgent protection cases;
(v)The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)will be retained;
(vi)the three existing layers for refugee determination---refugee status determination,
post-determination risk review, and risk-related humanitarian review---will be reduced to one:
a protection decision by the IRB;
(vii)there will be a 30-day time limit for making a claim subject to exceptions in compelling
circumstances;
(viii)failed refugee claimants who return to Canada after 90 days and submit another
protection claim would not have access to a protection hearing but would be examined under
pre-removal risk assessment;
(ix)priority will be given to the processing of people who come from safe countries of origin
and others whose claim is clearly related to reasons having nothing to do with a need for
protection;
(x)the Minister can intervene in any case without seeking leave from the IRB;
(xi)the current legislation will be amended to allow the Minister, without seeking leave from
the IRB, to select cases for vacation;
(xii)the waiting period for landing for undocumented convention refugees is proposed to be
reduced from five to three years; and
(xiii)consideration will be given to measures to improve the recruitment of decision-makers
on the IRB and increase the transparency in the selection process.
(8)Maintaining the safety of Canadian society:
(i)the interdiction of improperly documented people will be enhanced;
(ii)new classes of people inadmissible to Canada will be created;
(iii)measures against improperly documented arrivals will be increased. These measures will
include removing restrictions on prosecuting people who aid and abet illegal migration and
detaining claimants who refuse to cooperate in establishing their identity;
(iv)removal capacity would be enhanced through measures such as, limiting the
circumstances under which a removal order may be stayed and transferring the power to issue
a removal order to senior immigration officers in uncontested cases and straightforward
criminal cases;
(v)there will be stiffer penalties for inadmissible people who repeatedly return to Canada
without authorization, those who aid and abet persons in contravening the Immigration Act,
and people who commit fraud or misrepresentation;
(vi)authority to exchange information with other countries on criminality and security issues
would be enhanced, and provision would be made to enable access to the computer systems of
transportation companies to facilitate the screening of passengers;
(vii)the government would consider measures to enable transportation companies to provide
detention for people ordered removed;
(viii)Canada, together with the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, is engaged
in a process to determine which medical screening procedures are required to protect public
health;
(9)Improving the effectiveness of the immigration appeal system:
(i)the Immigration Appeal Division is to be retained;
(ii)serious criminals will lose the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division;
(iii)people who commit criminal offences while on a stay of removal would be removed;
(iv)the government will propose to introduce a requirement for leave to appeal visa
decisions in the Federal Court;
(v)family class refusals continue to have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal
Division, bur not refusals on financial grounds;
(10)Refocusing discretionary power:
(i)a range of measures to redefine the use of discretionary powers will be introduced, such
as defining through regulations situations where humanitarian or compassionate grounds are
generally approved;
(ii)unsuccessful refugee claimants will have access to the humanitarian or compassionate
decision-making process only in the period immediately following a negative decision by the
IRD; and
(iii)access to the humanitarian or compassionate applications will be denied to:
(i)war criminals and people who have committed crimes against humanity;
(ii)people who are a danger to national security;
(iii)members of criminal organizations;
(iv)members of government who engage in systematic or gross violations of human rights;
and
(v)people convicted of serious crimes; and
(iv)Mechanisms other than the Minister's permit will be used for delegating discretionary
authority.
(A copy of Clause No. 2 of Report No. 2 of The Community and Neighbourhood Services
Committee, entitled "Immigration Legislative Review" and the attachments in thereto,
attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the February
23, 1999, agenda of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee and a copy thereof is also
on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
(City Council on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, had before it, during consideration of the foregoing
Clause, the following report (February 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services:
Purpose:
At the February 23, 1999 meeting of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, a
request was made for information on the cost of the City's immigration and refugee
programs. This request was made as part of the committee's consideration of a report from
the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of
Human Resources and Amalgamation on the proposed directions of Canada's immigration
and refugee policy and legislation. The report recommended the inclusion of the City of
Toronto by the federal government in formal consultations and collaboration on relevant
settlement and immigration policy issues.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
It is estimated that the City of Toronto provides social assistance, emergency shelter, and
public health services for immigrants and refugees at an approximate net cost of $30 million.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- the Mayor be requested to arrange a meeting with the Honourable Lucienne Robillard,
Federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Honourable David Collenette,
Federal Minister responsible for the GTA, to discuss these issues;
- the federal government be requested to reimburse the City of Toronto the municipal costs
associated with the provision of social assistance, emergency shelter and public health
services to immigrants and refugees; and
- the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to
give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The City of Toronto is the key destination for immigrants refugees coming to Canada.
Toronto receives 56% of all newcomers to Ontario and 30% of all newcomers to Canada.
Approximately 60 percent of refugee claims in Ontario originate in Toronto. Newcomers have
been fundamental in shaping the diverse social, cultural, political and economic landscape of
Toronto. Considered to be one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, Toronto realizes
profound benefits from the ethno-racial communities which now call this city home.
The City of Toronto does not directly fund or deliver settlement services. The federal
government has primary responsibility for settlement and immigration policy and funding.
Some federal policies, particularly those which restrict access to settlement services or delay
access to federal documentation place newcomers at greater risk of dependence on
municipally delivered services including social assistance and emergency shelter.
The Province of Ontario at one time provided 100% funding of social assistance and
emergency shelter costs for non-residents for the first year. Since January of 1998 this
program has been cost-shared on an 80:20 basis with the City of Toronto.
Services for Immigrants and Refugees:
Newcomers to Canada require specific settlement assistance to help them adapt and integrate
into Canadian society. This assistance includes: language training, interpretation and
translation, job counseling, and orientation. The federal government has primary funding
responsibility for these services, but it is the community-based settlement services sector
which delivers the services at the local level. The 1997 report "Profile of a Changing World"
by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto and the Social Planning Council reported that
settlement services received the greatest funding cuts and were most at-risk of losing
programs or services. This has placed tremendous strain on social agencies, municipalities
and newcomers alike.
Eligibility and Access:
Newcomers to Canada receive different levels of government support depending on their
immigration status. Landed immigrants enjoy all the rights of Canadian citizenship and have
full access to government programs and services. Sponsored refugees are entitled to initial
support from the government or from private sponsors and are eligible for federally-funded
settlement services. Approximately 50 percent of refugees; however, arrive in the country
without sponsorship requesting asylum.
Refugee claimants are not entitled to initial support from the federal government and are not
eligible for settlement services. In addition, refugee claimants cannot access social assistance
or health care until they have received federal documentation confirming their claim. This
process takes up to six weeks, during which time refugee claimants may have only the
emergency shelter system on which to rely. Federal policies which limit access to settlement
services, or delay access to federal documentation, in effect download these service needs to
the community-based sector, and the municipality.
Settlement Renewal Initiative:
In 1995, the federal government introduced the Settlement Renewal Initiative intended to
devolve the management of settlement programs for newcomers to the provinces. Originally,
the federal government hoped to complete negotiations and withdraw from direct
administration and delivery by March 31, 1997. This time frame has been extended in Ontario
because a federal-provincial agreement has not been reached.
Currently the federal government provides $67 million in base funding for settlement services
in Ontario. This funding is directly allocated by the federal government to the
community-based settlement services sector. For the past three years this amount has been
enhanced by an additional $35 million. This additional funding has only been committed until
the year 2,000. After that date, the status of the additional $35 million is unknown.
City Role:
The City of Toronto continues to support the principle that newcomers must have access to
appropriate levels of support to settle, adapt, and integrate into all aspects of community life.
This principle was formally adopted by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto in a policy
framework which is still relevant today. The primary goals of that policy were to:
(a)support the settlement, adaptation and integration of immigrants and refugees into all
aspects of community life;
- provide appropriate supports to facilitate in making the necessary adaptations and
accommodations; and
- seek an equitable distribution of resources from other levels of government to Toronto to
support these objectives.
It is this final goal which is particularly relevant to this report. As a key destination for
newcomers to Canada, it is critical that the City of Toronto continue to provide supports and
services to immigrants and refugees. The issue identified in this report is not whether these
services should be provided, but which level of government has access to adequate resources
to appropriately fund these services to best meet newcomer needs. In an effort to clarify the
relative roles and responsibilities of the two levels of the government, the City of Toronto has
endorsed the recommendations of the Legislative Advisory Review including:
- The inclusion of municipalities in formal consultations on relevant policy issues;
- The maintenance of an ongoing federal role in settlement and integration services along
with a commitment to adequate funds to ensure equitable access to settlement services; and
- The reimbursement to municipalities for social assistance, hostel and other service costs
borne by the municipality for services and programs provided to immigrants and refugees.
The Need for Federal Funding Assistance:
- Emergency Shelter Services
It is estimated that 450 refugee claimants are accommodated in the emergency shelter system
on any given night. The City of Toronto receives provincial cost-sharing on an 80:20 basis up
to a maximum per diem rate of $34.50 per person per night. The average per diem rate in the
City shelter system is $44.27. Using the average actual cost and on the basis of the actual
cost-sharing because of the provincial cap (73:27) it is estimated that the gross cost of
sheltering refugee claimants per night is approximately $20,000.00. On an annual basis, this
represents an estimated gross cost of $7.3 million. The municipal share of these costs is
estimated at $1.9 million.
- Social Assistance
It is estimated that in any given month approximately 8,000 social assistance cases are
refugees. An additional estimated 6,000 cases are immigrants receiving social assistance
because of sponsorship breakdown. The average cost of social assistance benefits per case in
1999 is $723.10. Based on this average, it is estimated that social assistance benefits to
refugees total approximately $5.8 million on a monthly basis and $69.6 million on an annual
basis. The municipal share of these costs are estimated at $13.9 million annually. Social
assistance benefits to immigrants as the result of sponsorship breakdown total an estimated
$4.3 million on a monthly basis and $52.1million on an annual basis. The municipal share of
these costs are estimated at $10.4 million on an annual basis.
The total annual municipal cost to providing social assistance to refugees and those who have
experienced sponsorship breakdown is estimated at $24.3 million.
- Public Health Services
Public Health estimates that approximately 60 percent of children participating in the City of
Toronto's dental program were born outside of Canada. It is estimated that up to half of those
children are immigrants or refugees. The cost of providing services to immigrant or refugee
children across the city is estimated at $1.9 million.
In addition, it is estimated that 90 percent of the 500 TB cases in Toronto occur in those who
are foreign born and that 50 percent of active TB cases occur in the first 5 years after
immigration. The current cost of Toronto's TB budget is $2.1 million. It is estimated that the
cost of providing TB services for immigrants and refugees ranges from $1.1 million to $1.9
million annually.
The total cost of public health services for immigrants and refugees is estimated to range from
$3 million to $3.8 million.
Conclusion:
Although the City of Toronto does not directly deliver settlement and immigration services, as
the key destination for newcomers to Canada, it is the municipality most affected by
settlement and immigration policy and funding. The City of Toronto continues to support the
need for immigrants and refugees to access settlement and other services to help them
successfully integrate into all aspects of Canadian life. In support of this goal, the City of
Toronto has endorsed recommendations of the Legislative Advisory Review which pertain to
municipalities: specifically that the federal government reimburse municipalities for the costs
associated with providing social assistance, emergency shelter and other services. As a result
this report provides an estimate of the municipal costs associated with providing services to
immigrants and refugees.
Contact Name:
Karen Mann - 392-8334)
(City Council also had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Clause, the following
communication (March 1, 1999) from Councillor David Miller, Chair, Advisory Committee
on Immigration and Refugee Issues:
Recommendations:
The Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues recommends:
(1)that City Council adopt the joint report (February 9, 1999) from the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of Human Resources;
(2)that City Council NOT strike out Items Nos. (6) and (7) appearing under the section
entitled, "Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification", as recommended by the
Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee;
(3)that City Council request the Federal and Provincial governments to take action to
implement strategies to eliminate barriers to access to trades and professions; and
(4)that City Council request the Federal government to consult on relevant policy issues
with major cities in Canada that receive large numbers of immigrants and refugees, and the
appropriate City staff also be requested to initiate consultations in this regard.
The Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues reports, for the information of
Council, having requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and
the Executive Director of Human Resources, to report to the Advisory Committee on
undocumented individuals whose status is unclear with respect to being eligible for OHIP and
Social Insurance Numbers, and children who are not attending school because of issues
around status; and the report be prepared in consultation with school board, community
health centres and other appropriate agencies.
Comments:
At its meeting held on March 1, 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee
Issues gave consideration to the joint report (February 9, 1999) from the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of Human Resources.
The Committee recommends to City Council adoption of the recommendations set out above.)
