Initial Push for Provincial Work Permits
On July 23, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a bold plan to grant asylum seekers the right to work immediately while their applications to stay in Canada are processed. This came as part of a broader critique of federal government delays in handling asylum claims, with Ford leading the charge among the country's premiers at the close of the Council of the Federation. He expressed frustration over the reported two-year delays, a figure he attributed to feedback from constituents in his riding, highlighting the burden on provincial resources.
Ford's initial stance was clear: he wanted asylum seekers to contribute economically rather than rely on social services. 'They're collecting free schooling, free health care, and everything. I want them working,' he stated during a press event in Toronto on July 28. The premier suggested that if the federal government lacked the capacity to manage the process, Ontario was prepared to step in and support by issuing work permits directly.
Reversal and Clarification of Position
However, by July 28, Ford walked back his earlier pledge to have Ontario issue work permits to asylum seekers. Facing questions about the legal feasibility of provinces bypassing the federal asylum claims approval process, he clarified that his intention was not to take over Ottawa's responsibilities. Instead, he emphasized a desire to assist the federal government in speeding up the processing times, acknowledging that immigration remains primarily a federal jurisdiction.
'We aren't taking it over,' Ford remarked during a media interaction on July 28, signaling a significant shift from his previous assertive tone. He reiterated his goal of getting asylum seekers into the workforce but stressed collaboration with federal authorities rather than unilateral provincial action. This abrupt turnaround followed discussions among senior staff and legal experts about the complexities of provincial involvement in immigration matters.
Ongoing Debate Over Immigration Control
The reversal has sparked a broader conversation about the division of powers between provincial and federal governments concerning immigration. During last week's gathering of Canada's premiers, there was a collective call for more control over immigration policies, reflecting growing frustrations with federal delays. Ford's initial push for work permits was seen as part of this larger demand for provincial influence, though his latest comments suggest a more cooperative approach moving forward.
The issue remains contentious, as Ontario continues to bear significant costs for supporting asylum seekers, including housing, health care, and education. While Ford has backed away from direct intervention, his statements underscore an ongoing tension between provincial needs and federal authority, leaving open questions about how delays in asylum processing will be addressed in the future.