Councillor wants federal help as city deals with refugee claimants in shelters

A recent wave of refugee claimants is putting pressure on Ottawa's emergency family shelters, and Rideau-Vanier Coun. MathieuFleurysays the federal government needs to help.

More asylum claimants are staying in the city's shelters while they await hearings, Fleurysaid.

"We have 14 families just yesterdaythat came into our city and I'm worried," Fleurysaid.

"Our two city family shelters that we own are at capacity so we've been renting hotel rooms for some time and families are staying there for too long. This is new pressureand we need the federal government to be involved."

Fleury's appeal to his federal colleagues echoes comments from Toronto Mayor John Tory last week aboutthe influx of asylum seekers and the burden it's placing on his city'sshelter system.

The province of Quebec and Manitoba have made similar pleas to the federal government.

• Toronto calling for provincial, federal support for influx of refugee claimants in shelter system
• Quebec presses for help from feds amid anticipated jump in asylum seekers

Janice Burelle, Ottawa's general manager for community and social services, said in a written statement her department saw a spike in demand for temporary shelterlast summer due to refugee claimants from the United States.

That demand levelled off in March, but increased again in April.

The city did not provide numbers as tohow large the increase was last month.

"City staff continue to work closely with partners exploring options for families seeking shelter in Ottawa," Burellesaid.

'A crisis going on'

The jump in the number of asylum seekers doesn't surprise immigration lawyerBhrambaKullur.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision earlier this year to lift the temporary protected status given to more than 100,000 mostly Central American citizens living in the United States for humanitarian reasons has created uncertainty and led some to leave the country before they are removed.

"Right now there is a crisis going on we expect more [refugees] to come in the summer," Kullursaid.

Outside the House of Commons, Andrew Leslie the Liberal MP for Orlans, told the CBCthe government has heard the concerns of municipalities.

"The MPs in the National Capital Region are in constant contact with the mayor, Jim Watson of Ottawa and we'll let you know when the decisions are in due course no decisions have been made yet," he said.

In his appeal to his federal counterparts, Fleurysaid the issue for funds is"pressing" because the city needs to "stabilizethe families arriving."