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Two summers into the refugee housing crisis, Ontario advocates say African asylum seekers need help living dignified lives.

Diana Mathenge, refugee claimant from kenya, speaking in podium

On the podium, Diana Mathenge, refugee claimant from Kenya, Toronto – July 25, 2024

Press release

The African Canadian Collective (ACC) and its advocacy partners are calling on the federal and provincial governments to address the urgent needs that persist for African refugee claimants arriving in Canada.

In July 2023, the ACC brought together housing and refugee advocates to shed light on the plight of refugee claimants arriving from African countries after they were left on the streets of Toronto, unhoused and without community services or support. One year later, more people continue to arrive and are being dispersed to communities across the province without adequate wrap-around support in place.

The ACC and partners gathered today at Queen’s Park, Ontario’s legislative headquarters, to share what’s been happening to African refugee claimants over the past year and demand that all levels of government work immediately to help resolve their plight.

“There is a dire need to provide substantive wrap-around services in more cities across Ontario for African refugee claimants, invest in pathways to permanent housing, and challenge the narrative of anti-Black racism and xenophobia,” shared Debbie Douglas, Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). “Even though many African refugee claimants who arrived in Ontario last year had a difficult start, what often gets lost in their story is that they are highly skilled and talented people who have a lot to offer to this province.”

The ACC and partners are calling for decisive action from municipalities across Ontario to step up for refugee claimants. They are also demanding increased funding and resources from both the federal and provincial governments.

Pastor Eddie Jjumba Pastor Eddie Jjumba standing at a podium, speaking in front of a crowd of people.
Pastor Eddie Jjumba standing at a podium speaking in front of a crowd of people - July 25, 2024

“Last year, there was a lot of talk about a reception centre as a major part of the solution to the problem; but 12 months down the road we still don’t have an opening date. Our collective and allies are still supporting African refugee claimants every day, using our depleted resources,” said Eddie Jjumba, Senior Pastor of Milliken Church. “The community is stretched too thin and we are worried about leaving our brothers and sisters without any tangible wrap-around support.”

African refugee claimants have been moved around Toronto and other municipalities across Canada. However, most communities are under-resourced and not adequately prepared to support these newcomers.

“African refugee claimants need access to further training, resources and education, and it’s more than what municipalities and community groups can do alone,” shared Rev. Alexa Gilmour, United Church Minister and co-chair of Crisis in Our City. “Over the past year, refugee-serving groups have shored up the safety net when our systems failed, but community groups are exhausted and people are suffering as they wait,” she continued.

Rev. Alexa Gilmour standing at a podium, addressing a crowd of people at Queen's Park, with the park's iconic architecture visible in the background.
Rev. Alexa Gilmour addresses a crowd outside of Ontario’s legislative headquarters - July 25, 2024

The ACC and its partners are urgently asking for all levels of government to immediately make good on the support they promised.

Kizito Musabimana addresses a crowd outside of Ontario’s legislative headquarters.
Kizito Musabimana addresses a crowd outside of Ontario’s legislative headquarters - July 25, 2024

“Over the past year, we have demonstrated the African principles of Ma’at and Ubuntu — those are values of reciprocity and doing what we can. However, it’s heartbreaking for us, especially those of us from the continent, to realize that one year later we are still feeling like we’re in a similar place of limbo,” stressed Kizito Musabimana, co-chair of the ACC and founder of the Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre. “We need government action and investment now. We need to shift from relief work to development. Our brothers and sisters don’t need handouts, we are demanding that governments give them a hand up.”

About the African Canadian Collective:

The African Canadian Collective (ACC) is dedicated to establishing an African refugee sector in Canada. Through a systems transformation approach, advocacy and community engagement, ACC works to address the challenges faced by African refugee claimants and promote their well-being, integration and success in Canadian society.

Order of Speakers

Faith Greaves
Founder at MOZIA Women’s Network Society

Rev. Alexa Gilmour
United Church Minister, Co-chair Crisis in Our City

Francisco Vidal
Executive Director at Sojourn House

Pastor Eddie Jjumba
Senior Pastor of Milliken Church, Markham

Adi Yemane
African Refugee Response Coordinator at Delta Family Resource Centre & Co-Founder at My Brothers Keeper, Parkdale

Diana Mathenge
Refugee Claimant from Kenya

Nadine Miller
Executive Director at Pilgrim’s Feast Tabernacles

Minister Isaac Oppong
Shelter Director at Miracle Arena

Christopher Nkambwe
Team Leader at African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-Canada

Walied Khogali Ali
Housing Advocate

Maguette Niane
Projects Coordinator at La Passerelle

Kizito Musabimana
Founder at Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre & Chair of African Canadian Collective 

Partners and supporters of the African Canadian Collective

  • Adam House

  • African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-Canada

  • All Nations Community Settlements Center

  • La Passerelle I.D.E.

  • Anchor Canada

  • Beautiful Foundation (RevivalTime Tabernacle Church)

  • BlackNorth Initiative

  • Black Opportunity Fund

  • Centre For Black Development Options – Canada – CBDOC

  • Centre for Refugee Children

  • Christie Refugee Welcome Centre

  • Community Compassionate Bridge

  • Contagious Hope

  • Crisis in Our City

  • Delta Family Resource Center

  • DICE – Diverse Inclusive Community for Everyone

  • Dominion House of Hope (Dominion Church International of Toronto)

  • Dream Legacy

  • Ethiopian Association in the GTA & surrounding regions 

  • Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth

  • FCJ Refugee Centre

  • Finch Ave Community Center

  • Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario

  • Hope for Refugees

  • Kenyan Canadian Association

  • Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services

  • Matthew House Toronto

  • Miracle Arena Shelter / Church

  • MOZIA Women’s Network Society

  • My Brother’s Keeper – Parkdale

  • Network for the Advancement of Black Communities

  • Neighbourhood Pods TO

  • New Nakfa

  • OCASI

  • Our City Toronto

  • Quaker Committee for Refugees   

  • Regent Park Neighbourhood Association

  • Romero House

  • Rosebox Consulting

  • Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre

  • Salvadoran Canadian Association (ASALCA) 

  • Sojourn House

  • Street Haven

  • TFT Feast on Wheels (Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church)

  • Uganda Muslim Association Of Canada 

  • 411 Central

Photos of the event:

Rev. Alexa Gilmour standing at a podium, addressing a crowd of people at Queen's Park, with the park's iconic architecture visible in the background.
Pastor Eddie Jjumba Pastor Eddie Jjumba standing at a podium, speaking in front of a crowd of people.
Diana Mathenge speaking on podium
⁠Christopher Nkambwe speaking on podium
Minister Isaac Oppong speaking on podium
Francisco Vidal speaking on podium
Adi Yemane speaking on podium
Diana Mathenge speaking on podium

Related Media Coverage

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For media inquiries regarding this story, please contact:

Adi Yemane
1 (416) 268-6486
ayemane@dfrc.ca

info@rchc.ca

Download Press Release

Deux étés aprÚs le début de la crise du logement des réfugiés, les défenseurs de l'Ontario affirment que les demandeurs d'asile africains ont besoin d'aide pour vivre dans la dignité.

Diana Mathenge, refugee claimant from kenya, speaking in podium

Communiqué de presse

Le Collectif des Afro-Canadiens (CAC) et ses partenaires demandent aux gouvernements fĂ©dĂ©ral et provinciaux de rĂ©pondre aux besoins urgents des demandeurs d’asile africains qui arrivent au Canada.

En juillet 2023, l’ACC a rĂ©uni des dĂ©fenseurs du logement et des rĂ©fugiĂ©s pour mettre en lumiĂšre la situation critique des demandeurs d’asile arrivant de pays africains aprĂšs avoir Ă©tĂ© laissĂ©s dans les rues de Toronto, sans logement et sans services communautaires ou soutien. Un an plus tard, d’autres personnes continuent d’arriver et sont dispersĂ©es dans des communautĂ©s Ă  travers la province sans qu’un soutien adĂ©quat ait Ă©tĂ© mis en place.

L’ACC et ses partenaires se sont rĂ©unis aujourd’hui Ă  Queen’s Park, le siĂšge lĂ©gislatif de l’Ontario, pour partager ce qui est arrivĂ© aux demandeurs d’asile africains au cours de l’annĂ©e Ă©coulĂ©e et exiger que tous les niveaux de gouvernement travaillent immĂ©diatement pour aider Ă  rĂ©soudre leur situation critique.

« Il est absolument nĂ©cessaire de fournir des services complets aux demandeurs d’asile africains dans un plus grand nombre de villes de l’Ontario, d’investir dans des voies d’accĂšs Ă  un logement permanent et de remettre en question le discours sur le racisme anti-Noir et la xĂ©nophobie », a dĂ©clarĂ© Debbie Douglas, directrice exĂ©cutive de l’Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). « MĂȘme si de nombreux demandeurs d’asile africains qui sont arrivĂ©s en Ontario l’annĂ©e derniĂšre ont connu des dĂ©buts difficiles, ce qui se perd souvent dans leur histoire, c’est qu’il s’agit de personnes hautement qualifiĂ©es et talentueuses qui ont beaucoup Ă  offrir Ă  cette province.

Le CAC et ses partenaires demandent aux municipalitĂ©s de l’Ontario de prendre des mesures dĂ©cisives en faveur des demandeurs d’asile. Ils rĂ©clament Ă©galement un financement et des ressources accrus de la part des gouvernements fĂ©dĂ©ral et provincial.

Pastor Eddie Jjumba Pastor Eddie Jjumba standing at a podium, speaking in front of a crowd of people.

« L’annĂ©e derniĂšre, on a beaucoup parlĂ© d’un centre d’accueil comme d’une partie importante de la solution au problĂšme ; mais 12 mois plus tard, nous n’avons toujours pas de date d’ouverture. Notre collectif et nos alliĂ©s continuent de soutenir les demandeurs d’asile africains tous les jours, en utilisant nos ressources Ă©puisĂ©es », a dĂ©clarĂ© Eddie Jjumba, pasteur principal de l’église Milliken. « La communautĂ© est trop sollicitĂ©e et nous craignons de laisser nos frĂšres et sƓurs sans aucun soutien concret ».

Les demandeurs d’asile africains ont Ă©tĂ© dĂ©placĂ©s Ă  Toronto et dans d’autres municipalitĂ©s du Canada. Cependant, la plupart des communautĂ©s manquent de ressources et ne sont pas suffisamment prĂ©parĂ©es pour soutenir ces nouveaux arrivants.

« Les demandeurs d’asile africains doivent avoir accĂšs Ă  une formation, Ă  des ressources et Ă  une Ă©ducation plus poussĂ©es, et les municipalitĂ©s et les groupes communautaires ne peuvent pas tout faire seuls », a dĂ©clarĂ© la rĂ©vĂ©rende Alexa Gilmour, ministre de l’Église unie et coprĂ©sidente de Crisis in Our City (Crise dans notre ville). « Au cours de l’annĂ©e Ă©coulĂ©e, les groupes d’aide aux rĂ©fugiĂ©s ont renforcĂ© le filet de sĂ©curitĂ© lorsque nos systĂšmes ont Ă©chouĂ©,mais les groupes communautaires sont Ă©puisĂ©s et les gens souffrent pendant qu’ils attendent »,a-t-elle poursuivi.

Rev. Alexa Gilmour standing at a podium, addressing a crowd of people at Queen's Park, with the park's iconic architecture visible in the background.

Le CCR et ses partenaires demandent d’urgence Ă  tous les niveaux de gouvernement de concrĂ©tiser immĂ©diatement le soutien qu’ils ont promis.

Kizito Musabimana addresses a crowd outside of Ontario’s legislative headquarters.

« Au cours de l’annĂ©e Ă©coulĂ©e, nous avons dĂ©montrĂ© les principes africains de Ma’at et d’Ubuntu, c’est-Ă -dire les valeurs de rĂ©ciprocitĂ© et le fait de faire ce que l’on peut. Cependant, il est dĂ©chirant pour nous, en particulier pour ceux d’entre nous qui viennent du continent, de rĂ©aliser qu’un an plus tard, nous avons toujours l’impression d’ĂȘtre dans une situation similaire», a soulignĂ© Kizito Musabimana, coprĂ©sident du CAC et fondateur du Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre (Centre rwandais de guĂ©rison canadienne). « Nous avons besoin de l’action et de l’investissement du gouvernement dĂšs maintenant. Nous devons passer de l’aide d’urgence au dĂ©veloppement. Nos frĂšres et sƓurs n’ont pas besoin d’aumĂŽnes, nous exigeons que les gouvernements leur donnent un coup de main ».

À propos du Collectif des Afro-Canadiens :

L’African Canadian Collective (ACC) se consacre Ă  l’établissement d’un secteur des rĂ©fugiĂ©s africains au Canada. GrĂące Ă  une approche de transformation des systĂšmes, au plaidoyer et Ă  l’engagement communautaire, l’ACC s’efforce de relever les dĂ©fis auxquels sont confrontĂ©s les demandeurs d’asile africains et de promouvoir leur bien-ĂȘtre, leur intĂ©gration et leur rĂ©ussite au sein de la sociĂ©tĂ© canadienne.

Ordre des participants

Faith Greaves
Fondatrice du MOZIA Women’s Network Society

Rev. Alexa Gilmour
Ministre de United Church, Coprésidente Crisis in Our City

Francisco Vidal
Directeur exécutif à Sojourn House

Pastor Eddie Jjumba
Pasteur principal de Milliken Church, Markham

Adi Yemane
Coordonnatrice de la réponse aux réfugiés africains au Delta Family Resource Centre & Cofondatrice de My Brothers Keeper, Parkdale

Diana Mathenge
Demanderesse d’asile du Kenya

Nadine Miller
Directrice exĂ©cutif à Pilgrim’s Feast Tabernacles

Minister Isaac Oppong
Directeur du refuge Ă  at Miracle Arena

Christopher Nkambwe
Responsable d’Ă©quipe au African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-Canada

Walied Khogali Ali
DĂ©fenseur des droits en logement

Maguette Niane
Coordonnatrice de projets Ă  La Passerelle

Kizito Musabimana
Fondateur du Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre & Chair of African Canadian Collective 

Ordre des participants

  • Adam House

  • African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-Canada

  • All Nations Community Settlements Center

  • La Passerelle I.D.E.

  • Anchor Canada

  • Beautiful Foundation (RevivalTime Tabernacle Church)

  • BlackNorth Initiative

  • Black Opportunity Fund

  • Centre For Black Development Options – Canada – CBDOC

  • Centre for Refugee Children

  • Christie Refugee Welcome Centre

  • Community Compassionate Bridge

  • Contagious Hope

  • Crisis in Our City

  • Delta Family Resource Center

  • DICE – Diverse Inclusive Community for Everyone

  • Dominion House of Hope (Dominion Church International of Toronto)

  • Dream Legacy

  • Ethiopian Association in the GTA & surrounding regions 

  • Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth

  • FCJ Refugee Centre

  • Finch Ave Community Center

  • Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario

  • Hope for Refugees

  • Kenyan Canadian Association

  • Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services

  • Matthew House Toronto

  • Miracle Arena Shelter / Church

  • MOZIA Women’s Network Society

  • My Brother’s Keeper – Parkdale

  • Network for the Advancement of Black Communities

  • Neighbourhood Pods TO

  • New Nakfa

  • OCASI

  • Our City Toronto

  • Quaker Committee for Refugees   

  • Regent Park Neighbourhood Association

  • Romero House

  • Rosebox Consulting

  • Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre

  • Salvadoran Canadian Association (ASALCA) 

  • Sojourn House

  • Street Haven

  • TFT Feast on Wheels (Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles Church)

  • Uganda Muslim Association Of Canada 

  • 411 Central

Photos de l'événement :

Rev. Alexa Gilmour standing at a podium, addressing a crowd of people at Queen's Park, with the park's iconic architecture visible in the background.
Pastor Eddie Jjumba Pastor Eddie Jjumba standing at a podium, speaking in front of a crowd of people.
Diana Mathenge speaking on podium
⁠Christopher Nkambwe speaking on podium
Minister Isaac Oppong speaking on podium
Francisco Vidal speaking on podium
Adi Yemane speaking on podium
Diana Mathenge speaking on podium

Couverture médiatique connexe

À propos de DAYO Media & Communications :

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Pour les demandes médiatiques concernant cette histoire, veuillez contacter :

Adi Yemane
1 (416) 268-6486
ayemane@dfrc.ca

info@rchc.ca

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