Ontario Premier Doug Ford has come under fire this week for claiming it takes over two years for asylum seekers in Canada to receive work permits—a statement quickly refuted by federal officials and advocacy groups who say the reality is far more complex.

Speaking at a premiers' summit in Huntsville, Ontario, Ford said asylum seekers are “waiting over two years” for the right to work and “sucking off the system,” though he added, “it’s not their fault.” His comments came as provincial leaders discussed new ways to use constitutional powers to issue work permits independently of Ottawa.

The federal government swiftly disputed the premier’s remarks. A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated that since 2022, asylum seekers can apply for a work permit at the same time they file their asylum claims. Once their claim is deemed eligible, the permit is typically issued within two weeks, and the average processing time is 45 days.

But advocacy groups say the reality lies somewhere in between. Syed Hussan, Executive Director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, called both Ford’s and the federal government’s figures inaccurate. “Some people are getting them in 45 days,” he said, “but four to six months in some cases is a pretty long time—it’s certainly not two years.”

Ford's recent push to grant Ontario more immigration authority relies on Section 95 of the Constitution, which allows provinces to pass laws related to immigration as long as they don’t conflict with federal legislation. His office confirmed a study is underway to explore the option, though no official plan or timeline has been released.

Despite the backlash, Ford insists his goal is to help asylum seekers become self-sufficient. “They’re healthy, they’re willing to work,” he said. “They want to be like every other Canadian… rent a condo, buy a house.”

Critics, however, are skeptical of Ford’s intentions, pointing to his political history. Hussan noted Ford’s past anti-immigration rhetoric, including his 2018 comment that Ontario must “take care of our own” before promoting immigration to Northern Ontario, and his 2022 justification for removing land from the Greenbelt to make way for housing due to rising immigration numbers.

“This to me seems like just a political talking point,” Hussan said. “Now suddenly he’s the champion of refugees working? It’s completely bizarre.”

As Ford continues to explore provincial immigration powers, the debate underscores the need for clearer data, better communication between governments, and a more nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of asylum seekers in Canada.