York Region is facing allegations of wrongdoing as it closes down one of its two hotel sites for African asylum seekers.
ANCHOR Canada and other advocacy groups have said there have been many instances of mistreatment at the hotel sites established several months ago in Vaughan and Markham. As the Vaughan site prepared for closure, ANCHOR Canada executive director Shernett Martin came to council and alleged that the region and Red Cross had acted in discriminatory ways, accusing Red Cross staff on site of illegal actions like opening asylum seekers' mail.
Martin said the organization is exploring all options and is intent on holding the region to account.
“Our mental health has been battered through this response,” she said. “We are taking it to a whole new realm we never thought we’d have to.”
ANCHOR Canada has been at the forefront of advocating for and assisting asylum seekers from African countries coming into the Vaughan area. In response to the influx, the region spent at least $4.3 million and opened up two hotel sites to house them throughout the winter.
But come April 1, the region opted to close one of those sites.
Martin presented to the regional council March 21 to express concern about the treatment of asylum seekers at the hotel sites, adding accusations about illegal mail opening and unjust monitoring of asylum seekers on-site.
Alongside Miracle Arena For All Nations and Italian-Canadians for Black Lives, they also had a news event on March 28 detailing further allegations of mistreatment at hotel sites.
Since then, Martin said she has given statements to York Regional Police regarding the mail matter and it is under investigation.
In response to the news event, the region said it has requested police involvement and is taking a detailed review as to the next steps.
“The health and well-being of all residents remains a priority for York Region, and we continue to stand by our demonstrated commitment to supporting all asylum seekers,” the region said, adding that comments made were “inaccurate and disparaging. “Many of these same complaints have been made previously by Ms. Martin and were responded to appropriately. York Region continues to deny any York Region staff wrongdoing.”
Despite Miracle Arena’s involvement in the news event, representatives struck a more conciliatory tone to regional council in several delegations made April 11.
Miracle Arena minister Isaac Oppong said they hope to continue working with the region to help asylum seekers in the months ahead.
“We want to focus helping, supporting and building in York Region because that is where these vulnerable persons have come to be,” he said. “It’s encouraged for community leaders and faith leaders to work together … We’re asking to be looked at and considered.”
Ricardo Rose of Rosebox Consulting said he has been on the ground helping asylum seekers. He said there is a disconnect between the Black community and the government.
“My Black community and leaders need to forge a relationship with different sectors of government in order for us to utilize and implement things for the Black community so that we can strive,” Rose said.
“Together we can move mountains,” York Region CEO and chair Wayne Emmerson responded. “I appreciate your comments and I appreciate going forward with you.”
The region said it has helped 236 people across both sites. While its Vaughan site closed at the end of March, its Markham site will operate until at least the end of 2024, it said.
The region has offered similar hotel sites at other times. It had a hotel site for Ukrainian refugees for about 11 months, though ended the program citing a lack of upper government funding.
But York Region did receive funding this time around. The federal government agreed to fund the region $2.3 million in reimbursement expenses after the region initially spent $4.3 million dedicated to the influx of asylum seekers.
Still, Martin said closing down one of the sites stands to leave some people in poor position.
“It leaves them without the support they need,” she said. “It leaves them scattered, it leaves them displaced.”
Martin questioned the scope of the region’s internal examination on the matter and said it relied on the testimony of perpetrators.
She said the region has handled the situation in a discriminatory way.
“Where are the solutions?” Martin said. “The region needs to look at other cities who are doing it right because they’re doing it wrong.”
