Asylum seekers are people who have fled their home country and are requesting refugee protection in Canada. While immigration and refugee determination are federal responsibilities under Canada's constitution, asylum seekers often concentrate in major cities, creating significant costs for municipal services including emergency shelters, social services, and settlement support. Cities like Toronto and Montreal have housed thousands of asylum seekers in temporary shelters while their claims are processed, leading to debates about federal funding responsibilities. Municipalities argue they should not bear costs arising from federal immigration policies over which they have no control.