Published 20th Nov, 2023

By Tola Owoyele

An unnamed Nigerian asylum seeker has died while trying to keep himself warm in his tent in Peel, a regional municipality in Greater Toronto area, Ontario, Canada.

According to the Toronto Star, the Nigerian, believed to be in his 40s, died on Wednesday morning.

While addressing the press on Thursday, Patrick Brown, the mayor of the region, confirmed that the deceased had indeed come to Canada from Nigeria seeking asylum.

Brown also criticised the Canadian federal government for not providing adequate shelter for newly absorbed asylum seekers despite several appeals.

“Disappointingly, we have received no response or support for this urgent priority. Hundreds more will die when the winter weather arrives, and no action is being taken,” said Brown.

Preliminary reports reveal the Nigerian’s death might be related to the inhalation of carbon monoxide while he was heating the tent he took refuge in.

Shelter capacity crisis continues to rock Ontario cities as the threatening cold of winter approaches.

Brown stated that the shelter system in the region was currently operating at over 300 percent capacity due to the use of temporary accommodations in hotels.

He added that about 80 percent of the people in the shelter system were asylum seekers mostly from Africa.

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