Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) Roundtable Report for Social Assistance Review 2011

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) Roundtable Report for Social Assistance Review 2011"

Transcription

1 Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) Roundtable Report for Social Assistance Review 2011 Introduction This report by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) is based on what we heard from participants at roundtable discussions held with OCASI member agencies on the Social Assistance Review. OCASI is the provincial umbrella organization for immigrant and refugee serving agencies across Ontario. It is a registered charity founded in 1978 and is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. The Council has more than 200 member agencies in communities across Ontario. OCASI has worked for more than thirty years to advance social, political and economic equity for immigrants and refugees. OCASI welcomed the Social Assistance Review with the expectation that it can make a real difference in access to income security for immigrants, refugees, racialized residents and other low-income Ontarians. While poverty is an issue for many Ontarians, the impact on racialized immigrants has been particularly severe. Recent labour market data suggests that new Canadians bore the brunt of the effects of the recession. Other research has documented the growing gap in income along racial lines, and the fact that racialized residents are over-represented among lowincome Canadians. In this context, the social assistance system is an important resource for some in the communities served by OCASI member agencies. Client s ability to navigate the complex social assistance system is a long-standing concern for frontline workers. OCASI undertook to facilitate the participation of our member agencies in this review so that the outcome would be informed by the experience of clients and community workers. The Process OCASI held two roundtable discussions in Toronto on June 20, 2011 and July 15, 2011 for workers from immigrant and refugee-serving agencies and their clients. The June discussion was held during the OCASI Professional Development Conference. Participants were frontline workers and a few program managers from immigrant and refugee-serving agencies located in communities outside Toronto. Participants at the July session were primarily frontline workers and managers from immigrant and refugee-serving organizations in Toronto as well as a few clients who were receiving social assistance. The sessions focused on the experience of immigrants and refugees in communities outside Toronto, and the experience of immigrant and refugee women. OCASI encouraged participants to approach the review questions from the perspective of identifying systemic barriers faced by immigrant, refugees and racialized groups, including the experience of women and people with disabilities from those communities. Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)

2 At the invitation of the Commission, OCASI also co-hosted together with the United Way of Greater Toronto, Community Social Planning Council Toronto and the Daily Bread Food Bank, a roundtable discussion featuring participation by experts and community agencies. OCASI endorses the findings and recommendations of this joint report. OCASI also co-organized as a member of the Colour of Poverty Campaign, an additional roundtable session in Toronto on July 15, 2011 to focus on the experience of Ontarians of racialized background. OCASI endorses the findings and recommendations that emerged from the roundtable discussions captured in the Colour of Poverty Colour of Change Racialized Communities Consultations Report. The following is a summary of the main points from the roundtable discussions held with immigrant service workers and clients. Issue 1: Reasonable Expectations and Necessary Supports to Employment OW Workers - OW workers pressure clients to find a job, but don t provide appropriate or adequate support or guidance such as referral to an employment service. Clients have been pressured to attend a variety of job-search related workshops, regardless of whether it was appropriate for the client needs. Some clients have not been able to understand or relate to the workshop (language, cultural context) and some workers have later blamed the clients for their inability to make use of the workshop training. These workshops are a waste of time for some clients, and they feel further demoralized by the experience. OW workers have also pressured single mothers of very young children to find a full-time job, even if they cannot find a suitable and affordable childcare option. OW workers do not have the awareness, knowledge, training or sensitivity to effectively work with clients who want to transition to work and there is no case management on the file. Even when a client is referred to an employment counsellor to deal with the work-search part of the file, the OW worker does not practice good case management and the client does not get the full benefit of working with other professionals. OW/ODSP workers should move away from a numbers approach to their clients and use good case management instead. Employers Give incentives to employers who will provide minimum 1 year employment for an OW client. As well, given incentives to employers who hire and retain people with disabilities who are on ODSP. All employer-incentive programs should be conditional on training and retaining the employee in permanent employment. The City of Toronto program to hire OW clients for social services sector jobs is a good model, and should be pursued with the private sector and rolled out across the province. There are many challenges with community agencies trying to become OW/ODSP employers such as confusion about the role of the agency and not knowing how to accommodate people with disabilities who are ODSP. Childcare Provide childcare options for parents who are returning to work. It is especially important to provide options for parents with irregular work hours such as evenings and weekends, since this type of work is a reflection of job opportunities in today s economic climate and many clients tend to be hired for these types of work shifts. The options should be suitable for sole-support single mothers. Providing culturally sensitive childcare would Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) 2

3 encourage more women to enter the labour market. OW and ODSP clients should be provided childcare and transportation supports in order to effectively access internships and other similar initiatives that would help them to get a job that pays at least a living wage (which will allow them to get off social assistance). Education/Training OW should be able to support women and single parents in their efforts to pursue meaningful post-secondary education, work and career training. Clients are often denied the opportunity to pursue post-secondary training or skill-specific training, even if it might have given them an advantage in the job search. The OW/ODSP caseworker should use a case management approach and work with an employment counsellor AND job developers to help the client to transition to work. There should be room in the system to accommodate the individual needs of each client, which can be done through case management, and will have a better outcome for the client. Employment and ODSP - ODSP clients would benefit from more flexibility and disability accommodation from employers to give them greater control over amount and intensity of work. Flexible work arrangements such as flexible shifts, job sharing and more would allow ODSP clients to return to work more easily. Some ODSP clients cannot handle a regular work shift, since they may feel they are able to work one day but not the next day or the next hour. Social Services should make an effort to work with employers to develop flexible and creative work arrangements for ODSP clients. The provincial government and Municipal governments should lead by example and hire people with disabilities who are on ODSP. Social Services should work with other relevant Ministries and Departments to support community organizations and businesses who could potentially provide employment to ODSP clients, to meet the requirements under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. ODSP programs are all currently geared to English-speakers and French speakers have no supports they can access. Transition to work OW/ODSP clients fear losing benefits such as transportation supports, drug/dental benefits because typically most clients are moving into low-income jobs that don t provide benefits. Most clients move into jobs that don t pay more than a survival wage and they don t allow them to build up savings that would help in the event of an illness. Clients who succeed in getting full-time employment then struggle to keep the job since they often don t earn enough to afford the supports they need to go to work every day such as transportation and childcare. There should be a transitional period to help OW clients to adjust to a different household budget. This could be done by changing the 50% claw back imposed on clients that find work. Specifically, use a step-increase scale for the claw back which should accommodate the individual and particular needs of that client. In general, clients find the transition to work to be very stressful. Limited labour market opportunities make coming off social assistance not only undesirable, but also difficult to sustain for many clients. Another approach could be to provide incentives, such as employment-related supports, to encourage people to access initiatives that would lead to employment. Experience of finding employment - The stigma attached to receiving social assistance prevents employers from hiring. Many clients face other multiple forms of discrimination because of race, immigration status and disability. OW/ODSP workers sometimes appear to be unable to understand systemic barriers to employment and do not provide appropriate support to the client. Clients are often too exhausted to work on issues such as finding a job because accessing and remaining qualified for social assistance takes a lot of time, work and Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) 3

4 energy. The disclosure of health status (ie. HIV/AIDS) and disability (ie. Hidden or less visible disability) has a major impact on a potential employer, particularly because the client is already stigmatized by being on social assistance. The potential risk of disclosing status and facing employer backlash was a major source of stress for clients, especially individuals with episodic illness such as HIV, or certain types of disability. Clients have to make tough choices between healthcare and employment. Holistic approach OW/ODSP workers should conduct a holistic client assessment that would include financial and related needs as well as emotional and physical health, selfesteem, education and training. The workers should adopt a case management approach to dealing with OW/ODSP clients. OW/ODSP workers must develop and maintain connections in the community to practice good case management. Example: A Social services program based in Sault Ste Marie takes a case management approach from the assessment stage to developing a program plan. The plan takes a holistic wrap-around approach that includes emotional and physical health, self-esteem, and education and training. Issue 2: Appropriate Benefit Structure Rates Current rates for OW/ODSP are too low. They should be raised to pre-1995 levels while factoring in inflation to the current year. Rates should be adjusted to reflect local costs. For instance there should be an increase in the shelter allowance for large urban centres. Any approach to design an appropriate benefit structure should be first piloted, and then reviewed for the impact on women, seniors, youth and immigrants. The asset limit and earnings cap for ODSP and OW should both be increased. Specifically, the ODSP asset limit for a single person should be increased to at least $10,000. Housing allowance amounts are inadequate and do not reflect the market rate for rents, particularly in downtown Toronto. The low rates force OW clients to cheat by working informally (in the underground economy). Other benefits - Transportation subsidies should become a standard part of OW. There should be consistency in eligibility assessments, and in making clients aware of the supports available such as community start-up costs and the special diet allowance. At present, OW/ODSP workers tend to provide supports only if requested by the client. Often clients are unaware of what is available and therefore do not request the supports. All of the benefits, special supports and programs should be available in all communities and that information should be made freely available. Issue 3: Easier to Understand Communication All information pertaining to OW/ODSP should be written in clear and plain language. This is especially true for rules pertaining to special needs, such as those relating to pregnant women. The rules are so complicated and numerous that OW/ODSP case workers too have trouble understanding them. Further, they are not aware of many rules and often misunderstand them. Case workers also fail to adequate communicate rules and requirements to clients, and often misapply them or are inconsistent. Community worker role Clients often turn to community workers for help to access benefits and supports because they don t qualify for legal aid or because they are referred elsewhere by the local legal clinic. Many community workers find it difficult to understand Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) 4

5 the rules and requirements for OW/ODSP or misunderstand them. They have found it difficult to access up-to date information on policy directives that might affect their clients. Policy changes and new directives should be written in clear language and Social Services should improve the distribution of this information. Language There are no interpretation services in small communities outside the GTA. There is a need for trained interpreters to provide culturally appropriate interpretation services for clients. At present, OW/ODSP clients must rely on family members or volunteers, which is inappropriate and highly problematic. Issue 4: Viable over the Long-Term Data In order to improve the system, the appropriate data should be collected to understand the experience of different equity-seeking groups. Specifically, collect and cross-tabulate data on race, ethnicity, gender, education, immigration status, foreign credentials and other equity-related factors, in order to make a proper assessment of the impact of any changes. Race-ethnicity data should be made available in a disaggregated form particularly to the affected communities and to organizations that provide them with services. The privacy of OW/ODSP clients should be protected and their concerns about the collection and usage of data should be addressed effectively. There is a need to support and enable better research on who is needs social assistance, who is able to access it, where needs are unfulfilled and why. Outcomes - OW/ODSP involved clients should leave the social assistance system better than they were when they entered it. The goal of social assistance should be to enhance an individual s dignity and standard of life through providing income support, which is a necessary aspect if clients are to successfully make the transition to work. Nordic countries have good examples of how this may be accomplished. For each client, look at the reasons for lack of progress in transitioning off social assistance, including paying attention to systemic barriers such as lack of recognition of foreign experience and credentials. There is a need to address the long-standing issues of under-employment/unemployment of qualified workers that force them to rely on social assistance. Issue 5: An Integrated Ontario Position on Income Security Housing and homelessness The low social assistance rates force clients to choose substandard housing and to live in locations that are dangerous or are very far from jobs and services. Poverty is pushed to the suburbs which magnify barriers to employment and stresses. There is a particular impact on ODSP clients who are less able to cope with additional stresses of living in high crime/over-crowded/infested residences. Young people, immigrants and new arrivals in the community are particularly impacted and make up the invisible homeless who are couch-surfing, or who live in multiple family/over-crowded dwellings. Food and nutrition The ODSP food allowance is insufficient to afford food that has adequate nutrition. OW/ODSP clients are chronically reliant on food banks, which are not able to provide a sufficient quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables. Immigrants and refugees are not familiar with the type of food provided through the food bank and are often at a loss when it comes to dealing with issues of hunger and nutrition. There is a long-term effect. Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) 5

6 Asset limits The asset limits too restrictive and not realistic or supportive of the long-term financial needs of OW/ODSP clients. There should be a transition period of OW/ODSP support when a client gets a job, to give them a chance to build up assets and maintain employment to get them out of poverty in the long-term. Without this approach, clients are more likely to rotate on and off assistance. Rates The low rates leave clients with little choice but to play the system in order to meet their housing/food/material needs. Clients have adopted these survival strategies because the amount of assistance given is not enough. Other Issues not addressed in the discussion paper or questionnaire: Access issues On-site childminding services should be provided for women when meeting the caseworker. Women feel reluctant to discuss sensitive issues with the caseworker when their children are present, and the presence of children can be distracting for both the client and the caseworker. This is particularly important when there are communication barriers because of language issues. Communication There is a need to provide trained interpreters and translators. There are too many occurrences of misunderstanding and communication break-down because of language barriers, as well as cultural misunderstanding and insensitivity on the part of the case worker. Student Loans OW/ODSP clients are forced to choose between social assistance and student debt (OSAP), which creates disincentive for some to invest in further education which could lead to better employment outcomes in the long-term. Case worker knowledge There is a significant variation in the degree of knowledge and understanding case workers have about programs, benefits and rules. Case workers are often ineffective at helping clients to access benefits and supports. Clients frequently find out about programs through other clients or third parties. Case workers do not have an adequate awareness of or sensitivity to the different and unique circumstances of clients, such as torture, trafficking and domestic abuse, leading to miscommunication, incorrect assessment and often re-victimizing the client. Anti-discrimination training - Case workers need to be trained on issues faced by abused women and in different cultural communities. There a need to ensure that case workers treat all clients with respect. The present intake process requires disclosure of a large amount of personal and sensitive information. The information has little relevance to the administration of social assistance and serves only to re-victimize clients, particularly those that have experienced abuse or trauma. Information - OW workers do not inform clients about the different supports such as transportation costs and community start-up fund and often wait for the client to request the specific program. Many immigrant and refugee clients are not aware of these supports and therefore do not make a request. When clients do request the support, the case worker sometimes rejects it outright, or makes the process long and difficult. Appeals The appeals process should be improved to be more accessible. The tribunal process should be shorter and more efficient. Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) 6

REPORT HALTON COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON POVERTY REDUCTION: MPP CONSULTATION

REPORT HALTON COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON POVERTY REDUCTION: MPP CONSULTATION REPORT HALTON COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON POVERTY REDUCTION: MPP CONSULTATION June 27, 2008 Halton Community Conversation on Poverty Reduction June 27, 2008 1 Report on the Halton Community Conversation

More information

Immigrant & Refugee Housing Consultation Report

Immigrant & Refugee Housing Consultation Report Immigrant & Refugee Housing Consultation Report 2016 Housing Consultation Report 2 Table of Contents Introduction... 3 Immigration Partnership... 3 Community Consultation... 3 Key Findings... 4 Housing

More information

Integrated Model of Refugee Protection and Integration

Integrated Model of Refugee Protection and Integration Integrated Model of Refugee Protection and Integration 208 Oakwood Ave. Toronto, ON M6E 2V4 Ph: 416-469-9754 Fax: 416-469-2670 E-mail: info@fcjrefugeecentre.org Website: www.fcjrefugeecentre.org FCJ Refugee

More information

How To Become an Ally: Skills for Change. Presented by Sherene Nichol and Jade Shortte

How To Become an Ally: Skills for Change. Presented by Sherene Nichol and Jade Shortte How To Become an Ally: Skills for Change Presented by Sherene Nichol and Jade Shortte About Us: First inception in 1982 Provided office training to a group of Southeast Asian women to achieve full-time

More information

Community Fund research Issue 2 Refugees and asylum seekers in London: the impact of Community Fund grants

Community Fund research Issue 2 Refugees and asylum seekers in London: the impact of Community Fund grants Community Fund research Issue 2 Refugees and asylum seekers in London: the impact of Community Fund grants The London regional office of the Community Fund has made a significant number of grants to organisations

More information

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership: Community Capacity and Perceptions of the LMLIP

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership: Community Capacity and Perceptions of the LMLIP Community Capacity and Perceptions of the LMLIP 1 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership: Community Capacity and Perceptions of the LMLIP Prepared by: Amanda DeVaul-Fetters, Kelly Barnes, and

More information

TAKING STOCK for TAKING ACTION. Capacity for Newcomer Settlement and Integration in Saskatoon

TAKING STOCK for TAKING ACTION. Capacity for Newcomer Settlement and Integration in Saskatoon for Capacity for Newcomer Settlement and Integration in Saskatoon INTRODUCTION All newcomers to Saskatoon have something to offer our city, and at times they need help finding ways to use their knowledge

More information

Food Insecurity among Latin American Recent Immigrants in Toronto. Dr. Mandana Vahabi. Dr. Cecilia Rocha. Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing

Food Insecurity among Latin American Recent Immigrants in Toronto. Dr. Mandana Vahabi. Dr. Cecilia Rocha. Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing Food Insecurity among Latin American Recent Immigrants in Toronto Dr. Mandana Vahabi Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing Dr. Cecilia Rocha School of Nutrition Centre for Studies in Food Security Ryerson

More information

Supporting Australian Women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CLDB) Women s Policy Statement 2007

Supporting Australian Women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CLDB) Women s Policy Statement 2007 Supporting Australian Women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CLDB) Women s Policy Statement 2007 Contents ABOUT FECCA 1 RECOGNISING ISSUES AFFECTING AUSTRALIAN WOMEN FROM CLDB 1

More information

The Project. Why is there a need for this service?

The Project. Why is there a need for this service? 1 The Project Refugee Action was founded in 1981 to provide an effective approach to the successful reception, resettlement and integration of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Our advice services

More information

chapter the settlement counsellor Immigrant Settlement Counselling: A Training Guide Part 1 OCASI 2000

chapter the settlement counsellor Immigrant Settlement Counselling: A Training Guide Part 1 OCASI 2000 2 chapter the settlement counsellor 36 Immigrant Settlement Counselling: A Training Guide Part 1 OCASI 2000 Defining a Settlement Counsellor Demographics Changing Profile of Canada s Immigrant Populations

More information

SENT BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO:

SENT BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO: February 13th, 2017 CD18.12 Attachment SENT BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO: Chris.ballard@ontario.ca The Honourable Chris Ballard, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction

More information

Promoting the Common Good. Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations

Promoting the Common Good. Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations Promoting the Common Good Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations August, 2012 Our Vision CPJ is committed to seek human flourishing and the integrity of creation as our

More information

ONTARIO LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 24. Applications for Review under the Employment Standards Act, 2000

ONTARIO LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 24. Applications for Review under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ONTARIO LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 24 Applications for Review under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 This Information Bulletin describes what happens when an employee, employer,

More information

3.13. Settlement and Integration Services for Newcomers. Chapter 3 Section. 1.0 Summary. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

3.13. Settlement and Integration Services for Newcomers. Chapter 3 Section. 1.0 Summary. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Chapter 3 Section 3.13 Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Settlement and Integration Services for Newcomers Chapter 3 VFM Section 3.13 1.0 Summary In the last five years, more than 510,000 immigrants

More information

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. Input on Canada s settlement policy December 2013

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. Input on Canada s settlement policy December 2013 Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants Input on Canada s settlement policy December 2013 OCASI Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants welcomes the opportunity to provide a written submission

More information

2017 Access to Justice Grants Program Overview

2017 Access to Justice Grants Program Overview 1420 New York Avenue NW, Suite 650 P 202-467-3750 Washington, DC 20005-6210 www.dcbarfoundation.org F 202-467-3753 2017 Access to Justice Grants Program Overview The 2017 Access to Justice Grants Program

More information

NEWCOMER & REFUGEE YOUTH

NEWCOMER & REFUGEE YOUTH WORKING WITH NEWCOMER & REFUGEE YOUTH ONE SIZE DOESN T FIT ALL Presenter: SALIMA TEJANI Brampton Multicultural Center November 23rd, 2016 AGENDA Introductions De-Bunking Myths The Profile of Newcomer Youth

More information

2015 Advocacy Agenda

2015 Advocacy Agenda Lutheran Advocacy Ministry New Mexico 2015 Advocacy Agenda Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM is called to advocate for justice in public policy, with a particular emphasis on alleviating poverty and hunger,

More information

SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN CANADA. Jennifer York, Senior Manager Settlement Services Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia

SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN CANADA. Jennifer York, Senior Manager Settlement Services Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN CANADA Jennifer York, Senior Manager Settlement Services Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia AGENDA Introduction to Canadian Immigration and Resettlement of Refugees Introduction

More information

Employment and Immigration

Employment and Immigration Employment and Immigration BUSINESS PLAN 2009-12 ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT The business plan for the three years commencing April 1, 2009 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Government

More information

I need a safe place for myself : Issues of refugee claimants in transitional housing for people living with HIV/AIDS

I need a safe place for myself : Issues of refugee claimants in transitional housing for people living with HIV/AIDS I need a safe place for myself : Issues of refugee claimants in transitional housing for people living with HIV/AIDS RESEARCH TEAM Principal Investigators Dr. Amrita Ahluwalia, Nominated P.I Dr. Jeffrey

More information

REGIONAL MONTHLY UPDATE: 3RP ACHIEVEMENTS FEBRUARY 2017

REGIONAL MONTHLY UPDATE: 3RP ACHIEVEMENTS FEBRUARY 2017 REGIONAL MONTHLY UPDATE: 3RP ACHIEVEMENTS FEBRUARY These dashboards reflect selected aggregate achievements of 3RP regional sectoral indicators on the humanitarian and resilience responses of more than

More information

CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR ON WELFARE IN BC

CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR ON WELFARE IN BC DENIED ASSISTANCE CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR ON WELFARE IN BC By Bruce Wallace, Seth Klein and Marge Reitsma-Street S U M M A R Y The number of people receiving welfare in BC has been on the decline since

More information

Peel Regional Labour Council s. Submission To. The Changing Workplaces Review

Peel Regional Labour Council s. Submission To. The Changing Workplaces Review Peel Regional Labour Council s Submission To The Changing Workplaces Review Introduction I would like to thank The Changing Workplace Review for allowing the Peel Regional Labour Council to present this

More information

respect to the Committee s study of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program ( TFWP ).

respect to the Committee s study of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program ( TFWP ). Submissions respecting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program review by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Juliana Dalley,

More information

National Report: Canada

National Report: Canada Migrant workers: precarious and unsupported National Report: Canada Executive Summary The federal government funds newcomer settlement services across the country, but migrant workers in the two federal

More information

LGBT Refugee Resettlement Guidelines / Agency Self-Assessment

LGBT Refugee Resettlement Guidelines / Agency Self-Assessment LGBT Refugee Resettlement Guidelines / Agency Self-Assessment October 2013 This document is intended to serve two purposes; first, as a set of guidelines for Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs) to use for determining

More information

Summary of the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Summary of the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Summary of the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) CEDAW/C/CAN/CO/8-9: The Concluding Observations can be accessed here: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/download.aspx?symbolno=cedaw%2fc%2fca

More information

CHAIR AND MEMBERS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING ON JUNE 25, 2018

CHAIR AND MEMBERS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING ON JUNE 25, 2018 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: CHAIR AND MEMBERS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING ON JUNE 25, 2018 SANDRA DATARS BERE MANAGING DIRECTOR, HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES AND DEARNESS HOME FREE OF FEAR SERVICES

More information

Pan Canadian Voice for Women s Housing 2017 Symposium. September 14 th & 15 th, 2017

Pan Canadian Voice for Women s Housing 2017 Symposium. September 14 th & 15 th, 2017 Pan Canadian Voice for Women s Housing 2017 Symposium September 14 th & 15 th, 2017 What is the Pan-Canadian Voice for Women s Housing? Women from across Canada, from community agencies, universities,

More information

Maggie s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is a harm reduction agency primarily funded through the AIDS Bureau of the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Maggie s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is a harm reduction agency primarily funded through the AIDS Bureau of the Ontario Ministry of Health. About Maggie s Maggie s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is a harm reduction agency primarily funded through the AIDS Bureau of the Ontario Ministry of Health. We are an organization run by and for sex

More information

Three-Pronged Strategy to Address Refugee Urban Health: Advocate, Support and Monitor

Three-Pronged Strategy to Address Refugee Urban Health: Advocate, Support and Monitor Urban Refugee Health 1. The issue Many of the health strategies, policies and interventions for refugees are based on past experiences where refugees are situated in camp settings and in poor countries.

More information

REPORT General Committee

REPORT General Committee REPORT General Committee For Information DATE: January 20, 201 0 REPORT TITLE: FROM: Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services OBJECTIVE The purpose of this report is to inform Council about the findings

More information

9,488 girls and boys who are receiving specialized child protection services

9,488 girls and boys who are receiving specialized child protection services MONTHLY UPDATE: 3RP FEBRUARY 2018 USD 4.45 billion Inter-agency 9,488 girls and boys who are receiving specialized child protection services 145,663 PROTECTION 14,424 persons receiving Sexual and Gender-Based

More information

Post migration trauma is a commonly under-looked but important risk factor of poor refugee mental health.

Post migration trauma is a commonly under-looked but important risk factor of poor refugee mental health. Post migration trauma is a commonly under-looked but important risk factor of poor refugee mental health. Skoll Global Challenge Team: REACH Khayla Almonte-Davila, Katie Mai, Fehintola Okunubi Simon Fraser

More information

WBG (2015) The impact on women of the Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review

WBG (2015) The impact on women of the Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review UN INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON FOREIGN DEBT AND HUMAN RIGHTS CALL FOR EVIDENCE ON THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC REFORMS AND AUSTERITY MEASURES ON WOMEN S HUMAN RIGHTS ENGENDER RESPONSE, MARCH 2018 I. INTRODUCTION Since

More information

F.A.O.: The All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees and the All Party Parliamentary

F.A.O.: The All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees and the All Party Parliamentary F.A.O.: The All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration Re: Submission for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the use of immigration detention in the UK Dear

More information

JOINT SUBMISSION TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)

JOINT SUBMISSION TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) JOINT SUBMISSION TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) By COLOUR OF POVERTY/COLOUR OF CHANGE METRO TORONTO CHINESE & SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC ONTARIO COUNCIL OF

More information

ROUNDTABLE ON ACCESS, EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS MINUTES MEETING 1

ROUNDTABLE ON ACCESS, EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS MINUTES MEETING 1 ROUNDTABLE ON ACCESS, EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS MINUTES MEETING 1 Date of Meeting: April 5, 2006 Enquiry: Margaret Lewis Time: 5:00 p.m. Committee Secretary Location: Committee Room 1 416-395-7354 City Hall

More information

Somali Refugee Women: Empowerment of Self-Sufficiency Program

Somali Refugee Women: Empowerment of Self-Sufficiency Program Published in the Newsletter of the ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (AHDC): Somali American United Council plans a wide range of training on US Healthcare, parenting skills and guidance for proper

More information

Corporate. Report COUNCIL DATE: _FEBRUARY 26, 2007 NO: _R029 REGULAR COUNCIL. TO: Mayor & Council DATE: February 21, 2007

Corporate. Report COUNCIL DATE: _FEBRUARY 26, 2007 NO: _R029 REGULAR COUNCIL. TO: Mayor & Council DATE: February 21, 2007 Corporate NO: _R029 Report COUNCIL DATE: _FEBRUARY 26, 2007 REGULAR COUNCIL TO: Mayor & Council DATE: February 21, 2007 FROM: Acting General Manager, Planning and Development FILE: 0450-01 SUBJECT: Preliminary

More information

REFUGEE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

REFUGEE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA REFUGEE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED IN A.C.T. - ABN 87 956 673 083 37-47 ST JOHNS RD, GLEBE, NSW, 2037 PO BOX 946, GLEBE, NSW, 2037 TELEPHONE: (02) 9660 5300 FAX: (02) 9660 5211 info@refugeecouncil.org.au

More information

Supporting Syrian Refugee Integration in the Construction Sector. August Prepared by: Almontaser Aljundy

Supporting Syrian Refugee Integration in the Construction Sector. August Prepared by: Almontaser Aljundy Supporting Syrian Refugee Integration in the Construction Sector August 2016 Prepared by: Almontaser Aljundy About Almontaser Aljundy Almontaser Aljundy is originally from Syria and arrived in Canada in

More information

For more information on other housing and supports services, please see City of Toronto's website, https://www.toronto.ca, or call 211.

For more information on other housing and supports services, please see City of Toronto's website, https://www.toronto.ca, or call 211. General Information To apply for SPP you have to be eligible for rent-geared-to-income housing (RGI) or be living in subsidized housing in the City of Toronto. You can find information about RGI, how to

More information

April 10, Promoting Unbiased Policing in B.C. West Coast LEAF s Written Submissions Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

April 10, Promoting Unbiased Policing in B.C. West Coast LEAF s Written Submissions Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General April 10, 2018 Promoting Unbiased Policing in B.C. West Coast LEAF s Written Submissions Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund (West Coast LEAF) is

More information

Joint Submission to Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Joint Submission to Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Joint Submission to Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Re: Study on Federal Government Policies and Guidelines Regarding Medical Inadmissibility of Immigrants: Section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration

More information

Rural Development Institute

Rural Development Institute Rural Development Institute Immigration Settlement Services and Gaps in This community report is part of the Immigration Settlement Services and Gaps in CIC s Western Region study. Population (2011): 12,839

More information

Forum on the Settlement of Syrian and Iraqi Refugees. Summary Report

Forum on the Settlement of Syrian and Iraqi Refugees. Summary Report Forum on the Settlement of Syrian and Iraqi Refugees Summary Report April 2016 INTRODUCTION In September 2015, the Commonwealth Government announced that it would take in 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi humanitarian

More information

Essential Skills and the Integration of Newcomers into the Canadian Labour Market

Essential Skills and the Integration of Newcomers into the Canadian Labour Market Essential Skills and the Integration of Newcomers into the Canadian Labour Market Immigration and the Canadian Labour Market Immigration is expected to play an increasingly important role in Canada s economy

More information

Making sure people seeking and refused asylum can access healthcare:

Making sure people seeking and refused asylum can access healthcare: Image of doctor examining the ear of a patient that is seeking or refused asylum Making sure people seeking and refused asylum can access healthcare: what needs to change? 2 What change is needed to make

More information

Supporting Government-Assisted Refugees: A Coordinated Service Delivery Model

Supporting Government-Assisted Refugees: A Coordinated Service Delivery Model Supporting Government-Assisted Refugees: A Coordinated Service Delivery Model Yasmine Dossal and Rebecca Hii One of the main challenges in serving newcomer refugees is providing assistance that facilitates

More information

RETAINER AGREEMENT CIVIC RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM. Re: Civic Resettlement of refugee applicant(s)

RETAINER AGREEMENT CIVIC RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM. Re: Civic Resettlement of refugee applicant(s) RETAINER AGREEMENT CIVIC RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM Re: Civic Resettlement of refugee applicant(s) 1. Parties to this Retainer Contract This retainer contract governs the relationship between Office for Refugees,

More information

wesley.ca CANADA S REFUGEE SYSTEM The Canadian Refugee System has two main parts:

wesley.ca CANADA S REFUGEE SYSTEM The Canadian Refugee System has two main parts: CANADA S REFUGEE SYSTEM The Canadian Refugee System has two main parts: 1. Refugee Humanitarian Resettlement Program, for people who need protection from outside Canada 2. In Canada Asylum Program for

More information

Diversity and Immigration. Community Plan. It s Your plan

Diversity and Immigration. Community Plan. It s Your plan Diversity and Immigration Community Plan It s Your plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There was a tremendous response from the community to provide input into the development of this plan and the Local Diversity and

More information

Windsor-Essex s. Vital Conversation. In partnership with

Windsor-Essex s. Vital Conversation. In partnership with Windsor-Essex s Vital Conversation In partnership with The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF), in partnership with the Windsor-Essex Local Immigration Partnership and Community Foundations of Canada,

More information

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES. Non-Local Internship Summer

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES. Non-Local Internship Summer Update: March 7, 0 Non-Local Internship - 0 Summer * Remarks: CSR/ CM: Corporate Social Responsibility/ Corporate Management CSS: Community or Social Services PG: Politics and Governance RPA: Research

More information

Draft Refugee and Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan. Section 1 Health and Social Services. Mental Health. Actions to achieve priority

Draft Refugee and Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan. Section 1 Health and Social Services. Mental Health. Actions to achieve priority Draft Refugee and Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan Section 1 Health and Social Services Mental Health Mainstream expertise, awareness and support in mental health services and other support services During

More information

A JOINT UPR SUBMISSION BY ONTARO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS, THE METRO TORONTO CHINESE & SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC

A JOINT UPR SUBMISSION BY ONTARO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS, THE METRO TORONTO CHINESE & SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC A JOINT UPR SUBMISSION BY ONTARO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS, THE METRO TORONTO CHINESE & SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC COLOUR OF POVERTY - COLOUR OF CHANGE TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS

More information

Provincial Labour Consultation Changing Workplaces Review. Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee Response

Provincial Labour Consultation Changing Workplaces Review. Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee Response Provincial Labour Consultation Response sherona.hollman@peelregion.ca September 2015 Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy (2012-2015) The (PPRSC) thanks the Ministry of Labour for the opportunity to respond

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/AZE/CO/4 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 7 August 2009 Original: English ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION Committee on the Elimination

More information

Stakeholder Engagement Meeting Notes Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Stakeholder Engagement Meeting Notes Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Stakeholder Engagement Meeting Notes Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Date & location: International convention engagement relates to: Documents referenced:

More information

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 Third Standing Committee C-III/122/DR-Pre Democracy and Human Rights 4 January 2010 YOUTH

More information

Verification Guidelines Rent-Geared-to-Income Eligibility Windsor Essex

Verification Guidelines Rent-Geared-to-Income Eligibility Windsor Essex Central Housing Registry Windsor Essex County Providing co-ordinated access to social housing in our communities 2470 Dougall Avenue, Unit 6, Windsor, ON N8X 1T2 Phone: (519) 254-6994 Fax: (519) 254-9166

More information

ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT February 1, 2018 Submitted by: Marion Overholt, Executive Director Marion Overholt Executive Director 2017 was an exciting year for LAW. We expanded our anti-human trafficking work

More information

FPT Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec. March 2, 2018

FPT Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec. March 2, 2018 FPT Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec March 2, 2018 Introduction 1 French-speaking immigrants contribute to the strength and prosperity of our country, while adding to

More information

REFUGEE CLAIMANTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

REFUGEE CLAIMANTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA REFUGEE CLAIMANTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA // FAQs October 2018 bcrefugeehub.ca refugeehub@issbc.org @bcrefugeehub 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 // Making A Refugee Claim... 3 1. Who can make a claim for refugee

More information

Vulnerability Assessment Framework

Vulnerability Assessment Framework Vulnerability Assessment Framework JORDAN RESPONSE PLAN Key findings June 2015 Developed under an interagency steering committee, including 5 NGOs, 5 UN agencies, BPRM and ECHO Refugees Outside of Camps

More information

Brantford Native Housing Ojistoh House

Brantford Native Housing Ojistoh House Brantford Native Housing Ojistoh House APPLICATION PROCESS Brantford Native Housing 318 ½ Colborne St Brantford, ON N3S 3M9 (519) 756-2205 T (519) 756-1764 F Ojistoh House Application Process Background

More information

BILL C-6 An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act. Submission to Standing Committee

BILL C-6 An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act. Submission to Standing Committee BILL C-6 An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act Submission to Standing Committee April 13, 2016 ARCH Disability Law Centre 425 Bloor Street East Suite 110

More information

For The New Government of Ontario

For The New Government of Ontario For The New Government of Ontario A Ten Point Plan As a private business, charitable foundation and publishing organization, we aim to identify new ideas in the public interest. Issues of settlement have

More information

Migrant Workers Centre: Small Group Discussion Report to SPARC BC for the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy

Migrant Workers Centre: Small Group Discussion Report to SPARC BC for the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy March 30, 2018 Migrant Workers Centre: Small Group Discussion Report to SPARC BC for the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy Introduction Date March 24, 2018 Community Migrant Workers and Former Migrant Workers

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/6 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 10 August 2007 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Lessons Learned Settlement & Integration Consultation

Lessons Learned Settlement & Integration Consultation Lessons Learned Settlement & Integration Consultation Executive Summary June 29th and June 30th 2016 Acknowledgements MANSO would like to thank all the presenters, facilitators and participants and acknowledge

More information

Changes in the HUD Definition of Homeless

Changes in the HUD Definition of Homeless Changes in the HUD Definition of Homeless HUD has issued a draft regulation to implement changes to the definition of homelessness contained in the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to

More information

British Red Cross Society submission to the: Inquiry into Asylum Support for Children and Young People

British Red Cross Society submission to the: Inquiry into Asylum Support for Children and Young People UK Office 44 Moorfields London EC2Y 9AL November 2012 Tel 020 7877 7000 Fax 020 7562 2000 redcross.org.uk British Red Cross Society submission to the: Inquiry into Asylum Support for Children and Young

More information

Contribution to the Refugee Livelihoods Network. The appropriateness and effectiveness of micro-finance as a livelihoods intervention for refugees

Contribution to the Refugee Livelihoods Network. The appropriateness and effectiveness of micro-finance as a livelihoods intervention for refugees Contribution to the Refugee Livelihoods Network The appropriateness and effectiveness of micro-finance as a livelihoods intervention for refugees By Deborah Foy, Opportunity International United Kingdom

More information

Report: Niagara Forum on Migrant Worker Issues. Brock University - 3 December 2017

Report: Niagara Forum on Migrant Worker Issues. Brock University - 3 December 2017 Report: Niagara Forum on Migrant Worker Issues Brock University - 3 December 2017 Niagara forum on migrant worker issues 2 Table of Contents Introduction... 2 Meeting objectives and list of workshops and

More information

Challenges faced by Internationally Educated Health Professionals on Prince Edward Island: Stories and Voices

Challenges faced by Internationally Educated Health Professionals on Prince Edward Island: Stories and Voices Challenges faced by Internationally Educated Health Professionals on Prince Edward Island: Stories and Voices A Research Report for IEHP Atlantic Connection 1 Compiled by Godfrey Baldacchino Canada Research

More information

Our Story: Putting Community Perspectives Into Action. engaging knowledgeable strengthening 1/26/2015. Compiled by Huda Hussein

Our Story: Putting Community Perspectives Into Action. engaging knowledgeable strengthening 1/26/2015. Compiled by Huda Hussein LMLIP LMLIP LMLIP LMLIP communitydeveloper issue-oriented strategic committed planner visionary accountable connector welcoming inclusive issue catalyst supporting facilitating London engage & Middlesex

More information

community stories LASI World Skills: Making Good on Employment Promises September 2004 ISBN #

community stories LASI World Skills: Making Good on Employment Promises September 2004 ISBN # community stories September 2004 ISBN #1-55382-115-7 LASI World Skills: Making Good on Employment Promises New Canadians unable to access their professions because of accreditation barriers can take some

More information

Executive Summary. Background

Executive Summary. Background Executive Summary Background The profile for the government assisted refugee population of Halifax has been increasingly changing since the creation of the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act in 2002.

More information

LONGITUDINAL SURVEY OF IMMIGRANTS TO CANADA

LONGITUDINAL SURVEY OF IMMIGRANTS TO CANADA LONGITUDINAL SURVEY OF IMMIGRANTS TO CANADA Background and Overview of the Questionnaire Content for Wave 1 Background The (LSIC) is designed to study how recent immigrants adjust to living in Canada.

More information

Provincial Report: Quebec

Provincial Report: Quebec Migrant workers: precarious and unsupported Provincial Report: Quebec Executive Summary The majority of migrant workers in Quebec are employed in agriculture, and are therefore located in rural, isolated

More information

Rural Development Institute

Rural Development Institute Rural Development Institute Immigration Settlement Services and Gaps in This community report is part of the Immigration Settlement Services and Gaps in CIC s Western Region study. The includes the following

More information

CENTRE FOR STUDIES CRITICAL INTERDISCIPLINARY

CENTRE FOR STUDIES CRITICAL INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTRE FOR STUDIES P R O G R A M 2 0 1 7-1 8 CRITICAL INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES CENTRE FOR STUDIES CRITICAL INSIGHT ON CHANGE HURON 2017-18 CENTRE FOR STUDIES The only academic unit of its kind in Canada,

More information

September 10, 2012 VIA

September 10, 2012 VIA Suite 400 510 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8 Tel: (604) 601-6000 Fax: (604) 682-0914 www.lss.bc.ca Office of the Executive Director September 10, 2012 VIA EMAIL Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

More information

Ontario Disability Support Program Income Support Directives

Ontario Disability Support Program Income Support Directives Ontario Disability Support Program Income Support Directives 2.5 Tourists, Immigrants, Refugees and Deportees Summary of Policy Income support may be provided to a person with a disability who is a resident

More information

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM BCFED SUBMISSION JUNE 2016 TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM Submission to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Review of

More information

25 th Legislative District Democrats

25 th Legislative District Democrats 25 th Legislative District Democrats Candidate Endorsement Request (County Council) Full Name (as shown on ballot) Suzanne Skaar Office Sought: Pierce County Council District 5 Today s Date: May 28, 2018

More information

EMPLOYER GUIDE. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

EMPLOYER GUIDE. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program EMPLOYER GUIDE Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program EMPLOYER GUIDE 4 6 7 7 8 10 11 STEPS FOR HIRING LIAISING WITH THE PROVINCE ARRIVAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT COACHING SUPPORT LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT

More information

STREET ASSESSMENT STREET ASSESSMENT. results report

STREET ASSESSMENT STREET ASSESSMENT. results report STREET ASSESSMENT 2018 STREET ASSESSMENT results report 2018 Table of Contents Introduction and Highlights... 1 2018 Street Needs Assessment... 1 Overview of Methodology... 1 Key Findings... 3 Overview

More information

Addressing the diverse stresses impacting Syrian Refugees: Challenges, Opportunities and Tools

Addressing the diverse stresses impacting Syrian Refugees: Challenges, Opportunities and Tools Addressing the diverse stresses impacting Syrian Refugees: Challenges, Opportunities and Tools About Us - In School Settlement Program CONNECT SETTLE INTEGRATE The ISSP provides settlement information

More information

Submissions to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Submissions to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Submissions to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration By Justice for Children and Youth Regarding Bill C-6 An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act 8 April 2016 About Justice for Children and

More information

MAKING ONTARIO HOME2012

MAKING ONTARIO HOME2012 Making Ontario Home 2012 1 Ontario Council ofagencies Serving Immigrants MAKING ONTARIO HOME2012 A study of settlement and integration services for immigrants and refugees 6 Ontario Council of Agencies

More information

Housing, homelessness and refugee settlement the discussion

Housing, homelessness and refugee settlement the discussion NATIONAL SETTLEME POLICY NETWORK TELECONFERENCE Housing, homelessness and refugee settlement the discussion BACKGROUND REPORT The National Settlement Policy Network (SPN) is a joint initiative of the Refugee

More information

A New Direction. Ontario s Immigration Strategy

A New Direction. Ontario s Immigration Strategy A New Direction Ontario s Immigration Strategy Our Vision A new direction for immigration in Ontario attracting highly skilled workers and their families, supporting diverse communities and growing a globally-connected

More information

Attention: Paula Thompson, Director, Business Process Design

Attention: Paula Thompson, Director, Business Process Design Suite 400 510 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8 Tel: (604) 601-6000 Fax: (604) 682-0914 www.lss.bc.ca Office of the Executive Director December 14, 2010 VIA EMAIL Reform Office Immigration and Refugee

More information

Centre for Urban & Community Studies

Centre for Urban & Community Studies Centre for Urban & Community Studies RESEARCH BULLETIN CITIES CENTRE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca 44 JULY 2008 Better Off in a Shelter? A Year of Homelessness and Housing among Status

More information

Proposed Framework for a New Anti-Racism Strategy for Canada. Submitted by Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change

Proposed Framework for a New Anti-Racism Strategy for Canada. Submitted by Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change Proposed Framework for a New Anti-Racism Strategy for Canada Submitted by Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change January 2019 Introduction Colour of Poverty-Colour of Change (COP-COC) welcomes the opportunity

More information