Toronto Mayor John Tory says 11-million dollars received from Ottawa to help deal with an influx of asylum seekers is an important step forward.
At a news conference with Tory this morning, federal Border Security Minister Bill Blair announced the city has received the funding to help pay down some of the costs it has incurred in dealing with the irregular border crossers.
Blair says talks will continue on longer-term solutions that could include further financial support for temporary housing for the refugee claimants.
He says Ottawa has booked hotel rooms for asylum seekers needing to leave college dormitories in Toronto until a triage system is in place aimed at diverting refugee claimants to other communities.
Blair says only 272 are still occupying the dorms.