Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Syrian Refugee UPDATE from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

November 27, 2015

Dear Heads of Council

I’m aware that many municipal leaders have questions about their possible involvement in helping to resettle Syrian refugees.

While many details remain to be worked out by the federal government, the overall plan is taking shape nicely. Let me share with you a few of the things we know so far.

  • We expect that the first wave of refugees coming to Canada will number about 10,000 by year end.
  • Of these the majority will be privately sponsored. These refugees will be settled and cared for by their sponsors.
  • A much smaller number will be government assisted. These refugees will be assisted by federally-funded Refugee Assistance Program agencies located in six urban centres: Toronto (serving the Greater Toronto Area including Peel, York and Durham Regions), Ottawa, London, Windsor, Hamilton and Kitchener- Waterloo. These communities account for about 90% of immigrant and refugee landings to Ontario.
  • We expect the government assisted refugees will be located primarily in those urban centres, to make it as easy as possible to provide them with services.
  • An additional 15,000 refugees are expected to come to Canada by the end of February 2016.
  • Ontario played a leadership role early on, with an additional $8.5-million in funding to help sponsors and settlement organizations. We continue to play a leadership role in helping to coordinate these efforts. Federal, provincial and municipal representatives are hard at work on pinning down more details and engaging directly with the municipalities likely to be most affected.

I’ve spoken with a number of mayors in the last few days and been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity. Everyone is eager to help. This is a proud moment for our province and our country.

  • The federal government has established a website, Welcome Refugees [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/index.asp] for up-to-date information. Ontario has also established a Syrian Refugee page [www.ontario.ca/syrianrefugees] with information on how people can help.
  • Our province has also established a central co-ordinating function here led by Joan Andrew, a very able former deputy minister of Citizenship and Immigration. You can reach her at 416-325 4764 or joan.andrew@ontario.ca.

    I’m very proud of the way our province is stepping up to show hospitality, and I’m grateful to all of you for your many efforts. As plans continue to evolve, I’ll do my best to keep you informed. And I or Joan will be happy to receive your suggestions and offers of resources as we go forward.

    Kindest personal regards,

    Ted McMeekin Minister

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United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Looking at Policing Options

At the October Village of Westport Council Meeting, it passed a motion for Mayor Robin Jones to bring Council’s concerns over the high cost of OPP policing to the attention of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council and to encourage discussion on a regional policing model.  Below are the  highlights of this discussion at the  regular United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council Meeting held on Thursday, November 19.  I will continue to keep you updated as the discussions continue at Counties Council.

Committee looking at policing options: The Counties Committee of the Whole is examining policing options following a motion from the Village of Westport and a Counties staff summary of 2016 policing costs in Leeds and Grenville.

Robin Jones, Mayor of Westport, said it was not a discussion about the quality of police work, but instead about the increase in policing costs from 2014 to 2016.  Ms. Jones said the time to act is now to examine policing options, including a regional force suggested in 2014.  Ms. Jones does not believe a response from the government is expected anytime soon regarding a review of the Police Act.

Roger Haley, Mayor of Front of Yonge Township, said his municipality does not mind paying its fair share, however, to move to the new costing formula so quickly is unmanageable and unaffordable for his municipality.  He said he fully supports looking at regional policing. Councillor Doug Malanka, Mayor of Augusta Township, concurred, stating it is time to think about what would be best for local communities, and not wait for legislation.

Joe Baptista, Mayor of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, said the change to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) funding makes it increasingly difficult to accommodate the increases.  Ron Holman, Mayor of Rideau Lakes, is concerned about changes to the funding model, especially the data provided by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) which identifies seasonal properties and trailer park homes.  He said he preferred a slower process to see what changes the province may consider and what services may be transferred to municipalities.

Councillor Jim Pickard, Mayor of Elizabethtown/Kitley, said studies have already been done and suggested the Committee have time to review those studies prior to moving forward.

Counties Chief Administrative Officer, Andy Brown said there were several issues being discussed; who delivers, funding model, and how policing is conducted.  He said staff will gather previous studies for the Committee to review and then draft a strategy so that the message can be sent to the province.

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Federal government releases its plan for the refugees

I have attached the announcement sent to me from AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) for your information

 

November 25, 2015

Federal Government Announces Plan to Resettle Syrian Refugees

Yesterday, the federal government released its plan to resettle 25,000 refugees from the Syrian conflict. The government will identify all 25,000 refugees who will come to Canada by December 31, 2015. The target is to have 10,000 refugees arrive by the end of 2015 with the remainder arriving by the end of February 2016. The government will invest up to $678 million over six years towards resettlement and integration support. The goal is to have relatively even distribution of refugees across Canada. While the destination communities are not yet confirmed, the Province is asking the public to identify available housing in Hamilton, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Windsor.

For its part, the provincial government has established a Ministers’ Ad Hoc Committee on Refugees in order to coordinate support for the federal government’s plans for resettlement. The committee is co-chaired by the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, and the Honourable Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The Province has indicated that it will provide $10.5 million over two years to promote refugee sponsorship and deliver immediate and future support for refugees.

AMO is supportive of the resettlement efforts and stands ready to assist with communicating the federal and provincial plans to our membership. Many municipal councils across the province are already in various states of planning for the reception of refugees. Municipal governments and District Social Service Administration Boards (DSSABs) can play a role to ensure that their services are accessible to refugees (i.e. childcare, housing, public health). Coordination and planning will be required with the other two orders of government in order to make this a successful resettlement effort. An assessment will also be needed to gauge the potential fiscal impact to municipal governments and DSSABs and the ensuing discussion with the provincial government on the assistance needed to meet these costs. More information is expected from the federal and provincial governments on the municipal role in the days ahead.

AMO will continue to play a leadership role as our members stand ready to assist refugees in any way they can. AMO will be working closely with municipal staff associations, including the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), on planning for the successful settlement of refugees.

AMO will monitor developments and provide further information to members when it becomes available.

Links: 

CIC Newsroom:
Canada Offers Leadership on the Syrian Refugee Crisis
#WelcomeRefugees to Canada

Ontario Newsroom:
Ontario Preparing to Welcome Syrian Refugees
Ontario Forms Ministers’ Ad Hoc Committee on Refugees
Syrian Refugees: How You Can Help