Ontario mayors privately warn of immigration and housing strain

Leaked private WhatsApp correspondence from Ontario’s Big City Mayors reveals that municipal leaders have been privately warning about the impacts of mass immigration and asylum seeker inflows. The 101-page log, spanning approximately 18 months starting from July 2023, was released after the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner ruled that the chat functioned similarly to email chains and was subject to disclosure.

In the messages, mayors expressed concerns regarding overwhelmed social services, full shelters, and the financial burden placed on municipalities. Shaun Collier, the Mayor of Ajax, noted that the region's resources were exhausted, stating that while some individuals were documented, the federal government should have provided funding for their care and accommodation.

Rob Burton, the Mayor of Oakville, criticized federal policy, suggesting that Ottawa’s increase in immigration created an unsustainable housing market due to unprepared demand. Other leaders, including Hamilton’s mayor and former Ontario Premier Andrea Horwath, noted that while immigration is necessary, both federal and provincial governments failed to ensure that newcomers have adequate housing.