Responsibilities

Newcomers often rely on sponsors to help them settle into a new society, but sometimes problems arise. Conflicts can happen between newcomers and their sponsors or with others in the community. These conflicts, caused by different information, needs, values, or relationship issues, can make it hard for newcomers to fit in if not resolved properly.

Sponsorship groups are responsible for providing income support, plus start-up costs, to the refugee(s) they sponsor.

The Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program involves two groups: the sponsors and the refugee applicants. Each has rights and responsibilities at every stage of the sponsorship that need to be understood by everyone involved in the sponsorship.

A sponsorship breakdown happens when sponsors are unable or unwilling to continue supporting the sponsored family before the end of the sponsorship period (usually 12 months).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shares the same goal as sponsors, that refugees settle well into their community and work towards self-sufficiency. IRCC is accountable to the Canadian public…

Refugees who come to Canada through a resettlement program (Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program or Government-Assisted Refugees Program) become permanent residents when they arrive in Canada. Therefore, they have the same rights and duties as any other permanent resident of Canada.

During the sponsorship period, if the sponsoring group doesn't meet their obligations, either financial or non-financial, and are unwilling to try to fix the issues, they are collectively found responsible for a sponsorship breakdown.