BY PAUL JUNOR
It has been less than two months now since Black community representatives held a press conference at 129 Peter’s Street to draw attention to the crisis among refugees and asylum seekers. Since then, over six hundred of them have received temporary shelter in three Toronto churches. They are being housed at: Revival Tabernacle (RTT) Worldwide Ministries located at 3460 Dufferin Street, Dominion Church International, and Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles.
The Canadian Black Clergies and Allies (CBCA) held a press conference on Friday, August 25th, 2023, to address what it calls a “Humanitarian crisis.” Let’s take a look at the numbers; there has been an increase of 500% in the number of asylum claimants from 530 individuals in September 2021 to 2,800 per day.
Prior to the press conference, on Thursday August 24th, 2023, the CBCA issued a press release. “We are calling for immediate government action to address the neglect of the urgent humanitarian crisis faced by refugees and asylum seekers from Africa.” In the last 60 days, it has been challenging for these churches to ensure that their facilities are able to provide the basic amenities, support, food, clothing and shelter. The press release notes, “The resilience and compassion displayed by the congregations of Revival Time Tabernacle, Dominion Church and Pilgrim Feast deserve commendation and recognition. However, the burden placed upon these organizations is unsustainable and has reached crisis level.”
CBCA is calling upon the Canadian federal, provincial and municipal governments to respond immediately to this crisis and provide:
- An apology for the inhumane treatment that these men and women have had to endure due in large measure to inadequate, limited and inappropriate housing.
- Immediate interim housing solutions focused on radically decreasing the number of patrons being housed at: RTT, Dominion Church and Pilgrim Feast.
- Immediate interim programming to address all medical, and mental health concerns of the men and women within the care of these churches.
- An undertaking that the City of Toronto and/or the Province of Ontario and/or the Federal Government of Canada will reimburse: RTT, Dominion Church, Pilgrim Feast, along with any and all other organizations that have endured financial strains not mitigated by the goodwill donations of the men and women of the: City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Nation of Canada and/or the worldwide community.
- A commission/inquiry into the causes for, and consequences of the lack of what we believe to be a clear dereliction of basic governmental duties and responsibilities.
There were several speakers at the press conference including Pastor Judith James of RTT, which currently houses over 200 African refugees. She states at the press conference, “If you’re not going to take care of our people, we’ll take care of them. Let us buy land, let us buy real estate, and we’ll take care of them if you’re not going to.”
Pastor Eddie Jjumba of the Dominion Church International also spoke to reporters. He told them, “People continue to eat. People continue to need spiritual safety and emotional support. We have stretched the church volunteers, the community volunteers, the people who are giving donations. We have stretched them beyond imagination.”
On Sunday, September 3rd, 2023, Pastor Judith announced that it will no longer shelter asylum seekers. Since July, RTT has housed almost 700 asylum seekers located in the basement of its sanctuary. She states that the 230 asylum seekers, which have been temporarily located at the church have been transferred to a temporary hotel or municipal shelter in accordance with an agreement with the City of Toronto.
