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Refugee resettlement
Who can be selected as a refugee for resettlement?
The Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program maintains Canada’s humanitarian tradition by resettling both refugees and persons in similar refugee-like situations. In addition to government assistance, private sponsorships enable organizations and groups of individuals to help refugees and persons in similar circumstances rebuild their lives in Canada. Before accepting a person under this program, CIC will make sure that person cannot go home to their country of nationality or usual residence or stay in the country where they have been given asylum. CIC will also look to see if there is another country where refugees can resettle. Persons selected for resettlement undergo medical, security and criminality screening. They must also show that they will eventually be able to re-establish themselves in Canada. Refugees selected abroad must be eligible in one of three classes:
Convention Refugee Abroad Class
The Convention Refugee Abroad class refers to people who are outside their country of citizenship or habitual residence. Refugees in this class have a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. This definition is taken from the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. It excludes persons who have the rights and obligations of the nationals of the country they are residing in as well as those who have committed serious crimes, war crimes or crimes against humanity. Individuals selected under this class are eligible for government assistance through the Resettlement Assistance Program or may be privately sponsored.
Country of Asylum Class
The Country of Asylum class also refers to people who are outside their country of citizenship or habitual residence. Refugees in this class are seriously and personally affected by civil war, armed conflict, or massive violations of human rights. Individuals selected under this class must be privately sponsored or have adequate financial means to support themselves and their dependants.
Source Country Class
The Source Country class includes people who would meet the definition of a Convention refugee but who are still in their country of citizenship or habitual residence. It also includes people who have been detained or imprisoned and are suffering serious deprivations of the right of freedom of expression, the right of dissent, or the right to engage in trade union activity. Only citizens or habitual residents of specific countries are eligible under this class. Please refer to the Refugee section of the CIC Web site for the current list of source countries. Individuals selected under this class are eligible for government assistance through the Resettlement Assistance Program or may be privately sponsored.
How are refugees selected?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada relies on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), referral organizations and private sponsors to identify and refer refugees for resettlement. However, the final decision to accept or reject always rests with the visa officer.
UNHCR
The UNHCR seeks to provide protection to refugees worldwide. As part of this activity, it identifies refugees for resettlement to Canada when this is the best possible solution. Generally, resettlement is promoted in situations when no other solution is available or when effective protection is not available. Most refugees are not resettled to another country. Ultimately, the Canadian visa officer decides whether or not a person meets the requirements of Canada’s refugee resettlement program and whether the person will be admitted to Canada.
Referral Organizations
Referral organizations are organizations that have an arrangement with Canada’s minister of Citizenship and Immigration to refer refugees for resettlement. Currently, the UNHCR is the only referral organization working with Canada.
Private Sponsors
Organizations and individuals may sponsor refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Sponsors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and at least 18 years old. Sponsoring groups commit to providing settlement assistance to refugees for a minimum of one year, with the goal of helping the refugee become self-sufficient. This assistance can take such forms as accommodation, clothing and food. In special cases, if the sponsor agrees, the sponsorship period can be extended for up to 36 months. Individuals cannot be sponsors if they are under a removal order, imprisoned, in default of an undertaking or support payments, or subject to citizenship revocation proceedings, or if they have been convicted of a violent crime.
Who may sponsor a refugee?
Sponsorship Agreement Holders and Their Constituent Groups
A number of organizations and groups across Canada have signed sponsorship agreements to facilitate the sponsorship process. Sponsorship agreement holders (SAH) are pre-approved sponsors. They may sponsor refugees themselves or they may issue letters of approval to their constituent groups to sponsor a refugee, thereby assuming responsibility for any default in sponsorship.
Groups of Five
A group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor refugees living abroad. Each member of the group must be at least 18 years of age, live in the community where the refugee will live and personally provide settlement assistance and support.
Community Sponsors
Other groups interested in sponsoring refugees may consider a community sponsorship. This type of sponsorship is open to organizations, associations and corporations who have the necessary finances and who can provide adequate settlement assistance to refugees. Community sponsors must have representatives in the community where the refugee will live.
Joint Assistance Sponsorships
Joint assistance sponsorships (JAS) provide the opportunity for the government and private sponsors to work together in the resettlement of special needs persons who would not otherwise be accepted for resettlement to Canada. The government provides income support and private sponsors provide moral and emotional support. Cases that can be considered for a JAS include women at risk, victims of trauma or torture, large families, persons who have been in refugee camps for extended periods, and persons with medical conditions.
How can I sponsor a refugee?
To sponsor a refugee, send your sponsorship application to the local immigration office. If you have not chosen or named a refugee you wish to sponsor, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) can match you with a refugee. For more information, and for the complete application kit, please refer to the Refugee Resettlement section on the CIC Web site, or contact the CIC Call Centre.
What assistance does the government give refugees?
The Canadian government has several programs to help refugees resettle in Canada and establish themselves in their new home.
Resettlement Assistance Program
Resettlement assistance is provided to Convention Refugees Abroad and members of the Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad classes admitted to Canada as government-assisted refugees. These funds are given to help pay for meeting the refugee at the airport or port of entry, providing temporary accommodation if needed, help finding permanent accommodation, basic household items, financial orientation, and help make sure that the refugee has continued access to support where necessary. This money can also be used to support a refugee’s income for up to one year or until that person becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first.
Immigration Loans Program
The Immigration Loans Program (ILP) is funded by a $110 million advance
from the federal government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. Repayments
on the loans replenish this fund. Loans are approved according to the
applicant’s needs and ability to repay. Loans are largely given
to government-assisted or privately sponsored Convention refugees and
members of the Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad classes. The loans
may be approved to pay for the costs of medical examinations abroad,
travel documents, transportation to Canada and the Right of Permanent
Residence Fee. Assistance loans are also available to disadvantaged newcomers
to cover expenses such as housing rental, telephone deposits or work
tools. Interest is charged on ILP loans. The interest rate is set each
January by the Department of Finance. Convention refugees and members
of the Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad classes may have a period
of one to three years when they will not be charged interest on their
ILP loan.
Interim Federal Health Program
Citizenship and Immigration Canada administers the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). The IFHP ensures emergency and essential health services for needy refugee claimants and refugees in Canada who are not yet covered by provincial health care.
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