Organizations serving refugee claimants in Ottawa, including Carty House, have issued a joint statement to show our support for the city’s planned newcomer reception centres.

Newcomers make meaningful and lasting contributions to our community as co-workers, neighbours, family, and friends. But right now, many newcomers are starting their lives in Ottawa sleeping in community centres and hockey arenas with very little access to the services they need to become independent.

The members of the Collective Impact Initiative for Refugee Claimants (CIIRC) represent decades of experience in supporting newcomers, and we’re sharing our thoughts on how the reception centres will play a key role in filling the urgent need to house and support newcomers in our city.

Everyone in our community deserves a safe place to sleep and access to essential services, regardless of their immigration status.

Together, we can build a strong, welcoming city for all.