When it comes to accommodation in particular, we have an organization in Quebec that serves as a type of reception centre. This isn't available in all the other provinces. The organization is called the Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers, or PRAIDA. It provides accommodation for asylum seekers when they arrive. Unfortunately, certain restrictions apply and not everyone is eligible. However, the main idea is to provide this accommodation until the asylum seekers receive their first social assistance cheque.
Our centre offers asylum seekers transitional accommodation by providing shared apartments all over the island of Montreal for six months. People can use this service to obtain a credit history, because that's often an issue. Property owners don't want to rent an apartment to an immigrant who has just arrived and who has no credit history or experience with another tenant or landlord. The goal is to give them these six months of shared accommodation experience as well as a credit history.
At the same time, we support them in the job search process. When they move out of an apartment and into their own place, they can also pay for it with their employment income. At this point, they really do have all the tools necessary to become self‑sufficient and to fully participate in society.