What is Secondary Migration?
When privately sponsored refugees arrive in Canada, their sponsors help them settle in their community and provide financial support for about 12 months. Sponsors assist with things like housing, banking, practicing English or French, and grocery shopping. This support helps newcomers adjust and feel welcome in their new community.
However, sometimes things go differently than planned. When newcomers choose to move to a different city or province before their sponsorship ends, this is called "secondary migration."
While sponsors may feel disappointed, it’s important to remember that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows all permanent residents the freedom to move anywhere within Canada. This right is one reason Canada is a destination for refugee resettlement.
Why does secondary migration happen?
Newcomers may choose to relocate for various reasons, such as:
- Moving closer to family or friends in Canada
- Living near an ethnic, cultural, or religious community, they identify with
- Accessing better job opportunities
- Finding more support services that aren’t available in their current location
- Reducing living costs
- Addressing any conflict or misunderstandings with sponsors
How can sponsors help prevent secondary migration?
Strong communication is the key to helping reduce the chance of secondary migration. Here are some tips.
Before the newcomer arrives
- Introduce the newcomer to their sponsors and explain what to expect
- Ask the newcomer about family or friends in Canada and any goals or concerns
- Explain the sponsorship role, the importance of staying in the same community for at least a year, and how sponsors can help them settle.
After the newcomer arrives
- Talk about their rights, including why it is best to stay in their intended community and highlight how the sponsor group supports them
- Build trust and support with frequent communication in the first weeks, then shift to weekly or monthly contact depending on their needs
- Use regular check-ins to discuss:
- Any additional support they need or if they have made new friends
- Progress in school, work, or other goals
- Any concerns or worries they’re facing.
When a Newcomer Considers Relocating
- Ask why they want to move and explore if the current community could meet their needs.
- Suggest a short visit to the new location before making a final decision.
- Discuss the pros and cons of relocating, like the cost of living or commute times.
- Help them identify who might support them in the new community, including potential sponsors.
What to do when a newcomer decides to relocate
If a newcomer decides to relocate, sponsors need to:
- Inform Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of the secondary migration.
- Document efforts to meet residency requirements, including finding new sponsors or representatives in the new location.
- Continue financial support based on the new location's Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) rates.
- Connect the newcomer with support services in their new area.
- Maintain communication with IRCC and the Resettlement Assistance Team (RSAT) until residency requirements are met or until the sponsorship breakdown.
Support during secondary migration
If you are dealing with secondary migration, the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) offers help through SPO Connect. This program connects newcomers with trained settlement workers in their new community at no cost, and it is available to all sponsoring groups. These workers understand the specifics of sponsorship dynamics and complement the support sponsors provide to refugees. SPO Connect also eases the sponsor’s workload by contacting settlement organizations on their behalf.
Contact SPO Connect Team:
- Website: SPO Connect
- Online Intake Form
- Email: spoconnect@rstp.ca
Presented by: Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
