The demonstrators held signs that read: “Markham say no to illegal border crossers.” “Illegal free boat riders are not welcome.” “Defend our borders”.

Police were called to calm down the screaming people. As many as two dozen officers arrived to settle the crowd before they dispersed.

"I guess I worry about anyone who really stirs up the community with misinformation," Scarpitti said. "I’d be very concerned that at least one, if not two or three people who are running in this municipal election were the orchestrators of that particular protest and once again, we’re seeing people spreading misinformation in an effort to whip up the community and to get the community to take a particular stand."

The original offer to allow migrants and refugees to stay temporarily in Markham was made during a conference call with Toronto Mayor John Tory and had nothing to do with a visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Markham last month, Scarpitti said.

"I offered our support and understanding as a neighbouring municipality. With a crunch coming, they were trying to get ahead of the problem, no different than when a neighbouring municipality faced some kind of disaster like hydro lines being down, send hydro crews to help out."

The support would simply mean temporarily housing some people to alleviate the stress on a neighbouring municipality's resources, Scarpitti said.

A joint statement released by the Centre for Immigrants and Community Services and Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic defended Scarpitti and criticized those who organized Saturday’s demonstration.

"As organizations that work with many Markham residents of Chinese descent, we are particularly aware of the checkered history of Canada when it comes to its immigration and refugee policy," the statement said.

"For decades, Chinese Canadians were subject to racist immigration policies including the Chinese Head Tax and the Exclusion Act that were designed specifically to restrict and/or exclude Chinese from coming to Canada," it said. "Even after the Exclusion Act was repealed, restrictions on Chinese immigration continued, limiting entrance to only spouse and children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Chinese descent.

“The City of Markham is one of the most diverse cities in Canada — and in the world — with 78 per cent of its population made up of communities of colour, and about 50 per cent born outside of Canada. Mayor Scarpitti’s proposal is in keeping with Markham’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”