A refugee is a person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution there. They are unable to return and are in need of protection. To meet this need, Canada set up two refugee protection programs:

The UNHCR “has the responsibility to work with countries in protecting uprooted people and finding them permanent solutions”. Canada relies on the UNHCR to help determine which refugees will resettle in Canada.

Refugees can be resettled in Canada via different resettlement programs. The main difference between these programs is the breakdown of the financial and non-financial support from the government of Canada and private sponsors.

Canada’s private refugee sponsorship program is a remarkable example of cooperation between grassroots religious groups and the Canadian government. In what ways has the development of private sponsorship been influenced by religious groups, and how do religious groups engage with government processes in the work of refugee resettlement?Cent

Resettling in Canada as a refugee can be a rewarding but challenging experience. Learn more about what to expect when you first arrive and the services available to help you get settled into your new life.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) produced an animated video to provide refugees resettling to Canada with an overview of what to expect, including services and supports that will be provided to help them get settled in Canada.

2020 will be a record low for refugee resettlement, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns. “We are dealing with a disappointingly low resettlement ceiling to begin with - a quota of less than 50,000 for the entire year - and this was further impacted by COVID-19 delaying departures and pausing some states’ resettlement programs,” said UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs.

Interested in sponsoring refugees as a Group of Five?

The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is organizing a workshop. 

Participants will be able to get information on:

• Eligibility and admissibility requirements for refugees being sponsored

• How to identify an acceptable proof of refugee status

Creating a group synergy when sponsoring a refugee can be quite difficult.

To help you get there, Islington United Church is organizing a workshop. 

Participants will be able to learn:

• How to build trust

• Reduce conflict 

• Create a positive team workshop

Date: Saturday, 22nd of February, 2020

Escaping a country ravaged by violence is already a difficult process. 

Now add having to live with HIV to the equation. 

To help you understand that, Better Than Ted: Talking HIV Research is organizing a conference. 

Participants will get to understand better xenophobia and serophobia (fear of people living with HIV) and how this makes the experience of refugees living with HIV more difficult. 

Date: Wednesday, 19th of February, 2020

What are the different program options to sponsor a refugee? 

This is a question that the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) intends to answer through its webinar. 

Attendees will be able to get an overview of: 

• The application process

• Recent updates and changes to processing

• Who can be included in an application package