NDP MP Jenny Kwan took issue with the fact that even the $1-billion in funding that was in the update is not budgeted until after April 1, 2025.
“People are living in tent encampments, being evicted from their homes or trapped paying sky-high rent and the Liberals continue to delay and disappoint in their fall economic statement,” she said during Question Period, describing the funding timeline as “absurd and completely out of touch.”
Mr. Fraser responded, saying existing programs are currently available.
“What we’ve done in the fall economic statement is demonstrate our long-term commitment,” he said.
Toronto Star NEWS: Canada launches ad campaign warning newcomers claiming asylum is ‘not easy’
When reached for comment, NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said the new measures are an abrupt shift from past policy.
“This about face from Prime Minister Trudeau is a shameless and insidious attempt to use newcomers such as migrants, international students, and asylum seekers as political cover,” Kwan said in a statement emailed to the Star.
It’s a dangerous game on Trudeau’s part, said Kwan, in trying to “shift the blame for his failures” to asylum seekers — one she called “a recipe to further hype-up hate, resentment and discrimination toward racialized people.
“Instead of wasting $250,000 on advertising, they should be investing those resources in processing applications,” said Kwan.