COW - Supplementary Estimates (A), 2021-2022 - June 10, 2021

Key messages

The Supplementary Estimates (A) include only one item for IRCC - $24.5M for interim lodging services, a component of Enhancing the Integrity of Canada’s Borders and Asylum System initiative announced in Budget 2019.
This funding will serve to cover expenditures for lodging requirements related to contingency measures the Department put in place in case of a surge of asylum seekers when borders reopen.
Due to low volumes of asylum seekers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the unused amount of $24.5M in 2020-2021 was re-profiled into the current fiscal year and is being sought via these Supplementary Estimates for interim lodging services.
This funding is distinct from the Interim Housing Assistance Program funding identified to support provinces and municipalities.

Funding to provide emergency interim lodging and support services is broken down as follows:

($millions)	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22
Approved Fundings	14.7	50.8
Frozen	(4.1)	(22.3)
Reprofiled via 2020-21 Main Estimates		(9.6)	9.6
Reprofiled Frozen amount via 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B)			22.3
Reprofiled Frozen amount via 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (A)				22.3
Reprofiled via 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (A)				2.2
Net Available Funding	4.6	18.9	31.9	24.5
Expenditures	8	4.5	6
Lapsed at year-end^{Footnote *}	2.6	14.4	25.9	24.5

In the COVID-19 context, IRCC will continue providing temporary accommodations for asymptomatic asylum seekers who do not have alternate means to quarantine. This request is to mitigate financial risks associated with potential surges of asylum seekers and increased requirements as a result of quarantine measures.
The interim lodging services funding provides temporary housing to asylum seekers who lack a fixed address and whose immediate accommodation needs cannot be addressed by a province or municipality in case of an anticipated spike in irregular migration.
Expenses to provide emergency interim lodging and support services for a potential influx of irregular migrants near the three high-risk locations in Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia pertain to operational costs in each location, including land leases, service provider contracts, meals, setting up of temporary infrastructure and IT equipment.

The Border Enforcement Strategy is part of the major initiative titled “Enhancing the Integrity of Canada’s Borders and Asylum System” announced in Budget 2019.
As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Canada is required to process asylum claims (which includes irregular migrants) made in Canada and the federal government has limited mechanisms for controlling intake.
As well, Canada has limited means to affect U.S. immigration policies that might inspire north-bound movements or to address "push" factors that compel foreign nationals to leave their countries of residence.
This situation leaves the Department with some level of uncertainty where firm forecasts can be difficult to predict.
Volumes are currently reduced relative to past years, including as a result of border restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the Safe Third Country Agreement regime in its April 15, 2021 decision, thereby mitigating an immediate potential surge driver. The Department continues to monitor volumes, and may experience a surge over current levels upon border reopening.

Name of Lead Director: Martin Mulligan
Director General: Julie Chassé

2021-10-07