John Tory says if the city doesn't get immediate help from the provincial and federal governments, Toronto will not be able to accommodate new refugee claimants and asylum seekers.
The mayor of Toronto made the warning ahead of a meeting of city council Tuesday. Tory also asked for financial help and housing support in what he called an "urgent" letter sent to Ottawa Monday.
He says Toronto has gone to "heroic efforts" to help resettle asylum seekers, but says the city has reached its capacity, with 3,000 asylum seekers and refugees in the shelter system.
Tory says some people are being housed in hotels, but that program intended to expand the shelter system is now at capacity.
Some 600 asylum seekers and refugees including 200 children are currently being housed in college dormitories with another 200 people expected to join them. But they will be forced out August 9 as schools prepare for students to return.
Tory would not say what may happen to those 800 people if a deal for help is not reached. But closing community centres and cancelling programs to house them is not a step the city is prepared to take.
Toronto has not yet received funding the federal government promised to send to Ontario to help with the cost of housing asylum seekers and refugees. It is not clear what portion of the $11 million earmarked for Ontario Toronto would get.
Tory is also calling on the federal government in particular to develop a regional approach to housing refugees and asylum seekers, including identifying potential shelter outside the city.
with files from the Canadian Press