The city is looking for funding commitments from the federal and provincial governments, as displaced Ukrainians start arriving in Hamilton.
Staff are projecting a cost of $670,000 each month to support the needs of dozens of Ukrainian families, including temporary accomodation and other services within the city.
Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark fears local taxpayers will be left on the hook, because of a “jurisdictional war” between the upper levels of government.
“We’re doing what we should be doing as municipality, as a compassionate municipality,” says Clark, noting that immigration is a federal responsibility.
“The federal government should have been stepping up from the get-go,” stresses Clark, “and ensure there was a policy and a plan in place to fund this.”
The province has promised $300 million to help welcome Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, but city staff told councillors that it’s unclear how those dollars will be allocated.
Council passed a motion during it’s meeting on Wednesday, through which it hopes to work with local MPs and MPPs to get those answers.
Dundas Coun. Arlene Vanderbeek is among those seeking assurance that money is coming to offset Hamilton’s resettlement costs.
“We have people in this city, who live here, who are waiting for somewhere to live and we can’t give it to them,” notes Vanderbeek, “on the other hand we have an emergency, and I think we all want to help.”
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