Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for appearing before the committee.
Minister, this last Friday, on February 2, I had the honour of standing with our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as well Mayor Olivia Chow, when the federal government announced $143 million through the interim housing assistance program to help Toronto provide housing for asylum seekers.
This is great news for the City of Toronto, and Mayor Olivia Chow said herself at the announcement that the federal government has “fully delivered” for Toronto.
Could you please explain to the committee how this $143 million that was announced for Toronto will deal with the surge in demand for shelter spaces and prevent asylum claimants from experiencing homelessness?