By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Advocates for African asylum seekers who were refused shelter in Toronto and left to sleep on the street for weeks, remain angry at the politicians who allowed this to happen and contend that their treatment is grounded in anti-Black racism.
“This is racist stuff that’s going on, because no other group is treated like that,” community volunteer Gwyneth Chapman told Share.
The situation with the Africans, who have been homeless and sleeping on the streets of downtown Toronto in rain and sweltering heat, has been ongoing for months for some of them.
It’s risen to the level of a crisis, and was drawn to the attention of the Canadian public after a July 17 news conference that included Chapman and several prominent Black Canadians, such as retired politicians Dr. Jean Augustine and Zanana Akande. They said they were “in shock at the continuous poor treatment” meted out to the Africans.
“We have Black people sleeping on the street; women trying to cover themselves adequately while they sleep. And I must tell you, I am offended,” former MPP Akande, the first Black woman in Canada to hold a government cabinet position, said at the news conference.
Refugee claimants – some using cardboard boxes from a dumpster as blankets – occupied the sidewalks outside 129 Peter Street, one of the city’s assessment and referral centres.
City officials refused to admit the Africans into the centre, saying there were no beds available and that they didn’t have the funding necessary to care for the newcomers.
However, individuals and groups lobbying on behalf of the Africans have dismissed the city’s excuses and have called on newly elected Toronto mayor Olivia Chow to fire Gord Tanner, general manager of the city’s Shelter Support and Housing Administration.
Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds, in opinions and commentaries in the press and on social media, have expressed strong views on the comparative treatment of people that arrive in Canada seeking asylum.
“It’s worth noting that the vast majority of these asylum seekers are Black or African,” one person said. “Meanwhile, Canada has jumped through hoops to create pathways and social/economic support systems for Ukrainian refugees, which is absolutely incredible and necessary, but also seems hypocritical.”
“Let us be clear,” another wrote, “this isn’t a slight against Ukrainians; they must be helped. Our frustration is with how well these White refugees from Europe are treated compared” to other types of refugees.
Assistance and offers of help for the African asylum seekers, who include pregnant women, have enabled them to find temporary shelter and receive toiletries, food stuff and other items.
Toronto businessman, Mohamad Fakih, is donating $20,000 of his own money and has promised to fundraise to cover the cost of hotel rooms or apartments for the Africans.
“What we need to do is to get, immediately, a roof over their head and try to restore dignity,” said Fakih, an immigrant Canadian and owner of Paramount Fine Foods.
Among other immediate respondents to provide help were charities like Stand United Canada, The Beautiful Foundation and the Dufferin Street-based Revivaltime Tabernacle Worldwide Ministries in North York.
The 100 Strong Foundation, a non-profit that aims to empower Black boys to become leaders and role models, arranged for buses to take the Africans to the Revivaltime Tabernacle.
“It’s been quite challenging and overwhelming,” said Anisworth Morgan, co-founder and co-chair of the 100 Strong Foundation. “There have been many hands to make this work; a number of organizations.”
The refugees are being housed in the Revivaltime Tabernacle’s gym, auditorium and sanctuary. Men use one washroom and women utilize another.
Pastor Judith James said while the Africans are doing “much better” at Revivaltime Tabernacle, this is just a “Band Aid solution”.
“We need a better situation because there is still a crisis, but we won’t let them back on the street. We are so grateful to be able to do this and see hope on their faces,” James said.
“We can afford this because of the kindness of people, but the money can be depleted quickly,” the pastor said, adding that she’s “hurt and disappointed” in how the Africans were treated.
“This has bruised the faith of the community, the African community and the Black community. Our hope is the governments will hold conversations to find out what the needs are,” said James.
The blame for the Africans’ ordeal has been placed squarely on the federal government by Chow. The mayor said discussions on the situation will continue with the provincial administration of Premier Doug Ford, and with the federal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“The city, provincial and federal governments all see and understand the urgent need to address the immediate crisis, and to develop and implement longer term solutions, so that newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers have the support and shelter they deserve,” Chow said.
Chapman, though, is not impressed with the mayor’s action for helping the Africans, whom she described as “exhausted and traumatized”.
“I need to see the city stepping up, having a presence in a big way, trying to help with the process and supporting these people,” said Chapman, who complained that text messages to Chow have gone unanswered.
“I am totally not satisfied at all. All I’m trying to do, together with some of the community leaders that are very much invested in this and want to help, is to have a conversation with the mayor and we’re not hearing from her. I’m not happy about that.”
For his part, Ford pointed to the urgent need for more housing to accommodate refugees and other newcomers to Ontario.
“We have to build 1.5 million homes. Everyone has to divide that up and we just need homes. Simple as that,” said Ford.
The federal government has said it would provide a one-time injection of more than $200 million to help house the African refugees and asylum seekers. But a more permanent solution remains the demand of community advocates and organizers.
“These are my people,” said Akande, 86. I will not rest until they get equity.”
Augustine, the 85-year-old former federal cabinet minister, called the situation with the Africans a “humanitarian” cause.
“What drove me is the inhumanity of it all,” she said in an interview. “I don’t want to see them treated inhumanely. I just want to see them treated as we do every other refugee group that we provide services for.”
One of Augustine’s greatest concerns is the housing needs of the Africans.
“I don’t want to get into any discussion about who should pay, who shouldn’t pay; whether the money is enough, whether the money is not enough. That’s not my concern,” said Augustine, a former minister of multiculturalism and the status of women.
“My concern is really to help these people. Let’s get them their documents as quickly as we possibly can, so that they could begin their lives and, if we have to turn them around, let’s turn them around.”
Augustine noted that, unlike businessman Fakih, no “Black people with resources” have come forward to say, “I would put my money where my mouth is. There is a paucity or a lack of leadership with people who will come out and do things”.
