How we got here: Understanding the process behind Ottawa’s Newcomer Reception Centres

The City of Ottawa is building newcomer reception centres in response to the significant increase in asylum claimants to our city, which consists of refugee claimants and migrants who arrive in Ottawa.

Building this additional capacity in Ottawa’s housing system is an important step for the city. Not only will it respond to the needs of asylum claimants, but it will divert them away from the shelter system and open those much-needed spaces for others who need them.

In this story, we explore how we got here and why the City decided building reception centres was the right path forward.

Federal government responsibility

Migration to our city, including that of asylum claimants, is entirely managed by the federal government.

For asylum claimants, they follow a federally established step-by-step process during their application. Various federal agencies are involved and conduct an initial screening, which includes security and a medical examination. While the City has no control or input on the migration process, we are working to respond to the current situation in Ottawa and to ensure people have a safe place to stay.

Impact on City resources

There are currently around 600 single adult asylum claimants in the shelter system. This accounts for 60 per cent of clients, placing considerable strain on resources.

Asylum claimants are currently staying in recreation and community centres, including on arena floors or in bleachers, or sleeping overnight in shelters.

Dedicated reception centres will provide asylum claimants with a more comfortable and dignified welcome to our city. This includes extensive on-site services to help them transition into more permanent housing. Supporting asylum claimants at reception centres will also return recreation and community centres back to the community.

Choosing the right structure

In response to the urgent need for more shelter and support services for newcomers, on November 23, 2023, Council unanimously approved a motion directing City staff to actively pursue the option of a semi-permanent facility.

Starting in 2024, City staff, with input from third-party experts, evaluated several options to determine the best type of structure for the newcomer reception centres. They considered many factors such as cost, construction speed, and effectiveness. Based on this analysis, pre-fabricated buildings, which are tensile membrane structures, were recommended as the best solution.

These pre-fabricated buildings offer customizable interiors with features like windows, corridors, and vestibules to meet the needs of refugee claimants and service providers. They include amenities similar to conventional buildings, such as heating, cooling, and access to showering, laundry and washroom facilities, that will allow occupants to live comfortably.

They can be built quickly to relieve pressure on shelters and allow recreation centres to be returned to normal use. They can also be repurposed for a variety of future uses.

Other building types, such as mass timber and modular construction, were also considered. These options were not selected for reasons including cost, design flexibility and construction timelines.

Determining the locations

Following direction from City Council, City staff began reviewing potential sites that could accommodate a future reception centre at the beginning of 2024. They conducted an extensive review of over 90 locations.

The City considered factors such as engineering, construction needs, transit access, and walkability to narrow the search. Once the shortlist was developed, it was shared with an independent engineering consultant for further analysis. After their review and preliminary feasibility assessment, the consultant concluded the following two sites were best suited to host a newcomer reception centre:

• 1645 Woodroffe Avenue (on federal lands next to the Confederation Education Centre)
• 40 Hearst Way (on part of the Eagleson Park and Ride in Kanata)

Additional details about the site selection process were provided to members of Council in a memo on November 7, 2024.

Once the preferred locations were identified, the City started the engagement process with residents in the impacted communities.

Continue to learn more and ask your questions

We encourage everyone to follow our series of articles and continue to ask questions on Engage Ottawa. The feedback received continues to be responded to through the FAQs posted on the page.

Together, we can continue the tradition of being a welcoming city.