Frantz André who also works with asylum seekers through his organization, Non-status Action Committee, says he’s seen even more asylum seekers arriving since Roxham Road closed.Ontario ‘miracle’ woman wakes up from coma just days before her wedding
In June, RCMP stopped just 36 people between official border points across Canada, compared to 4,994 in January. But the Canada Border Services Agency handled over 4,000 claims in June at airports, mostly in Quebec and Ontario, compared to more than 1,300 in January and just over 1,300 in June 2022.Estimé says now she has to turn away between five and 10 people every day, and hers is the only shelter of its kind in Montreal North.
André stresses one of the problems is that there is a serious shortage of shelters and rent for an apartment is just too high. “Finding an apartment today with whatever money they are getting from social services is almost impossible,” he said, noting that qualified individuals get less than $1,000 in social assistance monthly.
Estimé charges $400 monthly and most clients stay between one to three months until they get on their feet. She says if she had more cash she’d get a bigger place. They’re hosting an open house next Wednesday at 11891 Sainte-Gertrude Blvd., to help raise funds.