This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Refugee advocates and the federal government are almost all set to battle over whether those who are waiting a decision on their refugee status should be allowed to have access to social assistance or not. The Conservatives’ latest omnibus budget bill included terms that would allow provinces to cut off access to social assistance, which quite noticeably shocked the observers in almost the same way as sudden changes to refugee health care coverage did two years ago.
Several prominent figures have openly spoken against the social assistance provisions and many are now appearing at the hearings on the bill in Ottawa this week. In addition to that, many are also planning to express their discomfort with the new bill today in front of the finance minister’s office in Toronto. Meanwhile, 150 groups have signed an open letter calling on Finance Minister, Joe Oliver, to remove several controversial provisions from Bill C-43. The letter states that “access to social assistance is vital to sustain and rebuild lives.” In addition to that, the letter says that “without that source of support, many will be unable to feed, house, or clothe themselves and their families, putting further pressure on already overburdened charities and shelters.”
The controversial provisions in Bill C-43 amend the agreement that governs transfer payments between Ottawa and the provinces. Currently, if provinces place any residency restrictions on who is eligible to receive social assistance, they could lose some of the money they receive from the federal government to cover those services.
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