Humanitarian immigration in Québec

Québec fully endorses the principle of international solidarity and the objectives of the international conventions providing for the protection of refugees. Humanitarian immigration occupies a particularly important place in Québec.

Refugees selected abroad are admitted to Québec, some of them after having lived many years in a refugee camp, others because they were victims of persecution in their own country. Upon their arrival, they are either assisted by the government, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, or they are welcomed by a group or organization that has undertaken to sponsor them.

Québec also represents a welcoming haven for thousands of people who are granted refugee status after seeking asylum in Canada. While waiting for the Government of Canada to rule on their asylum claim, these refugees have access to temporary support measures, including accommodation, legal aid, last-resort assistance, pre-school services and primary and secondary schooling for children and youth.

Québec demonstrates its commitment to those who are granted asylum by giving them access to a broader range of services until they can obtain permanent resident status, thereby helping ease their integration into Québec society.

• Sharing of responsibilities between the Federal and Québec governments
  • Refugee selection pools
  • Québec selection process
• Collective sponsorship
• Reception programs

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

In association with the international community, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) promotes three lasting solutions for refugees:

• Voluntary repatriation to their country of origin
• Local integration in a host country
• Resettlement in a third country

Resettlement in a third country plays a crucial role in the international refugee protection system. By participating in this system, Quebecers share in this responsibility.