Doug Ford both walked back and doubled down on his call for asylum seekers to get work permits. Last week, Ontario’s premier said that he would not wait around for the federal government and would start issuing provincial work permits for asylum seekers.

Under Sec. 95 of the Constitution Act, any province has the ability to pass legislation in this area, but few provinces do. Last week, Ford said that he was willing to start issuing such work permits despite the high unemployment rate in the province.

On Monday, Ford was less strident.

“I don’t want to take the responsibility off the federal government, but in saying that, if you have a pulse and you’re healthy, you need to be working,” Ford said.

His viewpoint on this is understandable even if it is wrong.

Ford’s view is that the federal government is letting people into the country, including thousands who claim asylum under questionable circumstances. He’d rather see them working than drawing on the welfare or social services system.

In........

© Edmonton Sun