Whereas some local governments in British Columbia have experienced a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers using emergency shelters that are not equipped to handle their unique needs i.e. translation, income and resettlement services, and which reduces the capacity of local shelters to accommodate the growing homeless populations in their communities; And whereas the federal government maintains responsibility for immigration and refugee services, and provides funding to provincial and local governments, on a cost-sharing basis, for the temporary housing costs for asylum seekers; And whereas local governments in BC are not eligible to directly receive this federal funding as the Province runs the shelter system in British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to develop, co-ordinate and fund new dedicated temporary shelters and appropriate support services for asylum seekers to relieve the pressure on shelters servicing local homeless populations; And be it further resolved that UBCM call on the federal government to provide the Province with the funds necessary to support said temporary shelters and support services in accordance with their responsibility for immigration and refugee services.
