Toronto Council Adopts Shelter Reforms After Ombudsman’s Refugee Discrimination Report

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Toronto City Council has adopted a series of reforms to address mounting pressure on the city’s refugee and emergency shelter system, following a report from Ombudsman Toronto that raised serious concerns about the treatment of refugee claimants in 2022. The Ombudsman’s investigation revealed that refugee claimants were excluded from the shelter system without proper documentation or clear policy direction. Many were referred to federal services that could not provide adequate housing. The report highlighted systemic discrimination—particularly impacting Black and African refugees—and urged immediate improvements. During the March 2025 council meeting, the Ombudsman responded to questions from council members and presented 14 recommendations to enhance human rights compliance, transparency, and accountability. Mayor Olivia Chow introduced a motion calling on the federal government to reinstate the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) and restore settlement funding. Councillor Alejandra Bravo followed with additional motions focused on improving shelter access transparency and training senior staff in anti-Black racism analysis. These reforms aim to build a more inclusive shelter system. In communities like Regent Park and Toronto’s Downtown East, these steps mark important progress—but continued community advocacy remains essential. www.focusmediaarts.ca

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