Commonwealth_ A new facility aimed at providing shelter and essential support to asylum seekers is set to officially open this weekend, more than a year after its initial announcement. The Peel Reception Centre, located in a repurposed office building near Dixie Road and Eglinton Avenue in Mississauga, is expected to accommodate hundreds of asylum seekers, marking a significant step in addressing the region’s growing need for refugee housing.
In November 2023, the federal government committed $7 million in funding to assist Peel Region in opening the 73,000-square-foot facility. This pledge followed the tragic death of an asylum seeker outside a former Peel Region shelter, highlighting the urgent need for expanded support. Many municipalities were already grappling with overcapacity in their existing shelters, making the new reception centre a crucial addition.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the primary objective of the facility is to provide asylum seekers with tailored support and services to facilitate their transition to housing independence. The Peel Reception Centre partially opened in October 2023, accommodating up to 88 asylum seekers during its initial phase. However, concerns remained about whether it would become fully operational before winter. Peel Region’s Director of Social Development, Jason Hastings, had indicated that the full opening depended on assurances that other municipalities would eventually have the capacity to relocate asylum seekers as needed.
Now fully operational, the Peel Reception Centre can house up to 680 asylum seekers in dormitory-style accommodations. The facility offers a range of essential services, including cafeterias, lockers, luggage storage, laundry services, showers, prayer rooms, common areas, and meeting rooms. Additionally, on-site IRCC representatives will provide immigration case management services and facilitate coordinated moves to other municipalities through employment opportunities.
Aileen Baird, Director of Housing Services for Peel Region, emphasized the centre’s significance, stating, “This is the largest facility of its kind in Canada, made possible through strong collaboration at municipal and federal levels. It reflects a coordinated, dignified approach to supporting asylum seekers.”
Beyond shelter, the centre offers comprehensive support services, including settlement assistance, employment counseling, housing support, and access to income support programs such as Ontario Works. IRCC underscored the importance of regional collaboration, noting that municipalities and provinces play a critical role in implementing long-term solutions. Over time, asylum seekers will contribute to local labor markets and integrate into their communities, further benefiting the region.
The centre’s pilot program includes key external partners such as IRCC, Service Canada, and WGC Employment Agencies. Plans are also in place to onboard Legal Aid Ontario and Public Health Services. According to IRCC, such models are more cost-effective in the long run and yield better outcomes for both asylum seekers and their host communities.
Recent statistics highlight the increasing demand for refugee accommodations. Refugee claimants in Ontario have leased around 1,550 rooms across nine hotels in Windsor, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, and Mississauga since Wednesday. Additionally, a report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario revealed that between 2021 and 2024, the number of chronically homeless asylum seekers and refugees rose by approximately 8,718 individuals, with immigrant homelessness increasing by 5,130.
To support these efforts, the federal government has allocated $22 million through the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) to Peel Region for the reception centre. The proposal received an update in July 2023. Moving forward, IHAP will receive an additional $1.1 billion, contingent on provincial and municipal investments in long-term transitional housing solutions for asylum seekers over the next three years.
The opening of the Peel Reception Centre represents a vital development in Canada’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges of asylum seeker accommodation. With its comprehensive support services and collaborative approach, the facility is poised to play a key role in assisting refugees as they navigate their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency.
