Ottawa Mission tasked with handling asylum seekers amid Holiday financial strain

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Good morning! 

Apologies for the slight delay in getting the newsletter out to you this morning, but we have been hard at work behind the scenes planning for exciting content in the new year. More on that soon…

The Ottawa Mission says its budget is down a few hundred thousand dollars this month due to the Canada Post strike. This is putting a huge burden on the organization which has seen a huge demand in need for service, particularly from asylum seekers who are waiting for more permanent options. I met with Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley to talk about who these people are and what’s needed to give them adequate resources. 

The answer the city is looking at to put a temporary bandaid on the situation is Sprung Structures, which I’m sure you all know by now has been a contentious issue. I sat down with the markers of Sprung to talk about misconceptions, how the tent-like facilities are used, and why they could help with Ottawa’s housing crisis for asylum seekers. 

Let’s get to the news of the day!

— Charlie Senack, managing editor 

[email protected] 

X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Friday: 3 🌡️ -2 | 🌨️

Saturday: 2 🌡️ -3 | 🌨️

Sunday: 0 🌡️ -4 | 🌨️

Monday: -1 🌡️ -3 | 🌨️

CITY

The Ottawa Mission is dealing with a surge in asylum seekers. Now it’s short a few hundred thousand due to the Canada Post strike

Strike impact: It’s been a tough few years for the Ottawa Mission, which has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, an uptick in asylum seekers, and now a lack of donations due to the Canada Post strike. Mission CEO Peter Tilley told the Ottawa Lookout they are short a few hundred thousand dollars this month because the mail is not being delivered. 

• “Our biggest challenge right now is that a lot of our donors are still the elderly population, and people still mail in donations and receive our mail-out request," said Tilley. “The worst is yet to come because December is on the horizon. Most charities rely on the Thanksgiving to Christmas period to hit their goals for fundraising. That’s going to be hard for us to do with Canada Post on strike.”

Those funds are desperately needed now The Mission has frequently run out of bed space, with clients needing to sleep in chairs and mats on the ground. Even so, on the coldest days, nobody will be turned away. 

By the numbers: In 2023, the charity reported over 1.1 million meals served, a dramatic increase from the 500,000 meals served annually before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Last year also saw 17,000 holiday meals served compared to the previous average of 2,500. 

Asylum seeker crisis: At its peak, 67 per cent of the Mission's clientele were asylum seekers, said Tilley. They required a different kind of resources than the shelter's typical residents who mainly deal with mental health and addiction challenges. It puts a burden on staff. 

• “This is a unique group of people who I think we’re abandoned by one level of government or another while we opened up the borders. We’ve always been a welcoming country — we are a welcoming city here in Ottawa — but there was no plan for those people coming into the city for housing or jobs,” said Tilley. “There is no affordable housing for residents of Ottawa let alone newcomers coming in from Africa. Most of the people I’ve spoken to are teachers or pharmacists; one gentleman was a cab driver back home.”

In one instance, a refugee staying at the Mission was from Ukraine. He made it his mission first to learn English, then became a dishwasher at the organization, moved up to shipping and receiving, and now he’s a driver. Back in Ukraine, he was working as an international trade lawyer who used to visit Romania and other border countries to work out trade deals. 

Support for Sprung structures: Today, only around 26 per cent of the clients are asylum seekers, with the rest being housed at other facilities, including community centres which have temporarily closed and been converted into shelter space. But that puts a burden on communities. 

To ensure arenas and gymnasiums no longer need to be used for emergency housing, the city is looking at building two Sprung structures — one near the Nepean Sportsplex off Woodroffe and the other at the Eagleson Park & Ride in Kanata. 

Misconceptions: But, there has been lots of controversy over where they will be located and the lack of community consultation around the sites. Tilley said he’d stay out of the political side of the debate, but wanted to reassure residents the asylum seekers are hard-working individuals who haven’t caused any issues for the Mission. 

• “These are not the usual people with mental health, high equity or addiction issues that we are used to with the population that comes into our doors. They are generally well behaved and easy to get along with,” said Tilley. “Most of our population smokes but most of these people do not. Communities will be surprised at the level of professionalism by these people. They dress well. They are well behaved. Most of them are from African Francophone countries. I think they will be a fit for any community and I hope that communities will be welcoming to them.”

How to help: You can make an online donation to support their efforts.

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CITY HALL

Mayor Sutcliffe says the city has no regrets on handling of Sprung structure debate 

The divide: It seems every few days there is another story in the media over Ottawa’s proposed Sprung structures — also known as welcome centres — and the worries posed by Ottawa residents. Last night, another demonstration was held at the Nepean Sportsplex, with a community meeting held later inside. The first city-led public consultation is being held next week.

Many feel that’s way too late. The two locations have already been chosen, and the city was able to do that because Council gave staff delegated authority. Even councillors were unaware their communities were shortlisted until hours before. 

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe remains adamant, though, that the issue is not political and does not believe the city should have handled it differently. 

• “Our staff in cooperation with the federal government have been developing a plan. It’s not just about the two welcome centre being proposed. It’s about transitional housing, it’s about permanent housing, it’s about services for new arrivals that are being delivered all across the community,” Sutcliffe told the Lookout. “I understand there has been a reaction to that and I’m hearing the concerns and we need to answer all the questions. I understand some residents are feeling like this was a surprise to them. This was not the intent. As soon as information became available we were sharing it with the public.”

Other options: There is also a debate as to whether or not Sprung structures are the right solution. There are many federal office buildings which could be converted. The city claims they spent the last five years looking but could not find a suitable space. Some suburban councillors have said they would like to see the money invested in programs like Mathew House. City staff says that’s not possible due to the large demand. Kanata Coun. Allan Hubley has suggested the Bells Corner's former Zellers be used over the Kanata location. 

The alternative plan: At council on Wednesday, Sutcliffe said during a media availability that if the federal funds did not flow through or city council opted out of Sprung structures, a second option would need to be explored. That would most likely  mean the closure of more community centres and hockey rinks because “it’s not like the new arrivals to Ottawa disappear, they will need to be welcomed and housed somewhere.”

Sprung structures are ideal for Ottawa’s asylum seeker emergency, maker says 

Many key people have given their input on Sprung structures, but one of the players we’ve heard little from is Sprung Structures, the Canadian company which makes the membrane facilities. So the Lookout decided to connect with them to learn more. 

Jim Avery, the vice president of Sprung Structures based in Calgary Alberta, wanted to start off by saying this is not new infrastructure. He said 12,000 structures in 100 countries have used their invention, including Tesla for its model production facility in Fremont, California, and Amazon’s head office in Seattle for 15,000 Blue Origin engineers. In that case, it was built in 11 months compared to a conventional development which would take over three years. 

Avery said the tent-like facilities are ideal for Ottawa given how quickly they can be built compared to a permanent structure. 

• “We saw that in the pandemic scenario. We did hospitals across Canada. They needed solutions right away for distancing, for more space because the hospitals were overcrowded,” said Avery. “We’ve had several up in Toronto right now as respite centres. Those are a bit more transitional. Ottawa’s plan is to have a little bit more individual rooms.”

One of those facilities is the Civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital which has a Sprung structure attached to its emergency department. One resident who stayed in that facility recently penned a letter to the Ottawa Citizen supporting the project. 

How they can be set up: The structures are air-conditioned and heated, and have all the necessary features and options you’d have in any conventional building. 

• “What would that be from a service point of view? You’d have offices, you’d have administration, you’d have recreation, you could have individual housing pods, you could have consulting or even medical facilities, food services, dental, we’ve even seen a couple that supplied podiatry in a homeless navigation centre,” said Avery. 

They can be moved: Avery said some cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have borrowed land for three to five years to house the homeless, but when it’s no longer needed, the structures are easy to move. That could theoretically happen in Ottawa if the need for asylum seekers is no longer there.

That could soon become a possibility if pollsters are correct and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party wins a majority government and drastically changes the country's immigration policy. But, moving the structures elsewhere does cost additional money and can vary based on the complexity of the inside infrastructure. 

The Sprung structures are also somewhat of a LEGO set that can be built again and again in different ways. 

• “We’ve done several where we might take some pieces down and add on more sections to something else, divide a structure into four smaller structures, we will put connecting corridors in, things like that,” said Avery. 

They aren’t tents: Avery said one of their biggest struggles as a company is explaining to people that Sprung structures are different from tents. 

“At first glance they might look like a tent, but the real difference is the shape, it doesn’t shed snow, and it’s how we tension the membrane,” he said. “Some people think it’s a single membrane and then you just add heat inside. No, there are two layers of membrane with fibre glass insulation between the two. Depending on the area we put various kinds of insulation in to meet the various codes. ”

Other uses: Avery said universities, the Canadian military, museums, the oil sector and airports have all built Sprung structures for various uses. He said First Nations communities love them because they can be built in secluded areas, and churches regularly prefer them due to the acoustics. 

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🥶 -11: The temperature it could feel like in Ottawa later this week due to the windchill. [Ottawa Citizen]

🔥 2: The number of fires which occurred in Nepean on Thursday night. One occurred at a two-storey home on Moria Court; the other, a bedroom of a bungalow on Viewmount Drive. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚗 752: The number of Ottawa drivers charged with impaired driving-related offences this year. [CTV]

🗺️ 24: The number of years it’s been since Nepean amalgamated with the City of Ottawa. [Ottawa Business Journal]

THE AGENDA

🚔 Two men have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the killing of 16-year-old John Ndayishimiye, a rapper who also went by the name Jdub. The shooting incident occurred at a home on Elmira Drive where Ndayishimiye was living on Dec. 6, 2021. Noel Perez, now 29, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will serve a 15-year jail sentence for his participation in the killing. Hantel Hersi, now 26, was also in the vehicle, and he pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for his role in helping Perez change the appearance of the truck to evade police. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚽 There has been a lot of controversy over a self-cleaning washroom which is coming to Centretown, but for businesses in the area, they couldn’t be more pleased. Jenna Ladd, who owns Iron North Studio on Somerset Street, said “We found human feces scattered along our laneway, on our walls, on our front door gardens, and urine splashed along our door, the adjacent fence, along our garage door, pretty much in every corner.” The public washroom will cost upwards of $1 million. [CBC]

⚖️ During the ongoing inquest into the death of Abdirahman Abdi, his former psychiatrist, Dr. Ramprasad Bismil, said he could have suggested a different method for Abdi to inject his anti-psychotic drugs, in light of periods when Abdi didn't take his medication due in part to his religious practices. The inquest also learned that for periods between February 2016 to July 7 of that year, the Somali Black man was in and out of hospital for psychiatric treatment — including two weeks before his death. [CBC]

📰 The Canada Post strike is having a negative impact on the Eaganville Leader newspaper, which has announced its stopping its print issue until the job action is over. About 7,000 papers are currently sitting, waiting to be delivered. [CTV]

🕵️ The Special Investigations Unit is looking into the death of an Ottawa woman who died after a wellness check from police. Upon arrival at an 18-year-old female's apartment, officers found the woman on the ground outside her apartment in the area of Murray Street and Beausoleil Drive. They attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. [CTV]

👮🏼‍♀️ A Perth teen has now been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Reese Stanzel who died last month. The unidentified girl remains in custody, and few details are known at this time. According to the criminal code, first-degree murder means the killing was "planned and deliberate.” [CBC]

🚔 An Ottawa man has been charged with attempted murder and assaulting police after an attack in Orléans. Tyler Low, 33, has been charged with 52 offences, including four counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, 12 counts of assault with a weapon and assault of a police officer. He was also charged with multiple weapons and mischief offences, including 20 charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. [CTV]

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EVENTS

Annual Holiday Fundraising Art Sale | The Ottawa School of Art (OSA) ByWard Market Campus, 35 George St | Until Dec 8 | Wide range of unique and affordable original works of art created by OSA students, instructors and local artists | Free

Giving Tuesday Lunch Special at Chef Ric's | 384 Rideau Street | Tuesday, December 3 | 11 am - 2 pm | Enjoy a special green-themed lunch for only $6.99, symbolizing hope and renewal. Proceeds support The Ottawa Mission. Make an additional donation to receive a free cupcake! | Learn more [Sponsored]

Christmas in Old Aylmer | Old Aylmer, Gatineau | Nov. 29–Dec. 1 | Enjoy a holiday market with handmade gifts, treats, and a Santa Claus parade | Free

Alight at Night | Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg | Nov. 29–Jan. 4 | Explore nearly one million lights in a magical winter wonderland featuring carriage rides, BeaverTails, and festive charm | Tickets $17

Santa's Parade of Lights | St-Joseph Boulevard, Orléans | Nov. 30, 6 pm | Enjoy Santa and illuminated floats | Free

GamerCon | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa | Nov. 30 | Explore 80+ tables of video games, board games, RPGs, and collectibles at this gaming convention | Learn more

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio | St. François d’Assise Church, Ottawa | Nov. 30, 7 PM | Enjoy six cantatas celebrating the nativity, performed by top Baroque musicians in a stunning venue | Tickets $20

Options Housing Annual Fundraiser | Ottawa Little Theatre | December 1, 2024, 2 pm | See a performance of 'On the Farce Day of Christmas' and silent auction | Tickets $40

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Meet a group of people who are still making sure children’s letters get to Santa during the Canada Post strike. [CBC]

• An Ottawa man who got tired of waiting for an OC Transpo bus has made a documentary about his struggles. [CTV]

• This local thrift store was born out of frustration and anger with the social services system. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Meet a group of Gay seniors who are looking to form a community in the midst of oppression. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Meet Caroline Phillips, Ottawa’s biggest charitable sector cheerleader. [Apt613]

• Take a look inside Altea, Canada’s largest gym based in Ottawa. [Ottawa Citizen]

OTTAWA WORDLE

Think you can guess today’s Ottawa Wordle? Play it here.