Our Neighbours: Refugees in Calgary Enhancing Our Communities

Transcription

1 Our Neighbours: Refugees in Calgary Enhancing Our Communities

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Definitions Common Acronyms Part 1- Refugees from a Global Perspective a) The 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees b) Durable Solutions c) Internally Displaced Persons d) Global Resettlement of Refugees Part 2- Refugees in Canada a) Selection Process for Refugee Resettlement b) Refugee Top Source Country of Origin in Canada by Category c) Canada s Refugee Commitment d) Refugee Claimants in Canada Part 3- Refugees in Calgary a) Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) b) Resettlement Services-GARs c) Inadequacy of Income and Housing Support d) Geographical Location and Accommodation of GARs in Calgary e) Resettlement Services for PSRs f) Resettlement Services for BVORs g) Resettlement Services for Refugee Claimants h) Resettlement Services for all Refugees i) Interim Federal Health Program j) Assistance for all Newcomers, Including Refugees k) One Refugee s Story Part 4- Refugees are Our Neighbours 2

3 DEFINITIONS Refugee: an individual who is outside their country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of this persecution Internally Displaced People (IDPs): Individuals who have been displaced within their own country because of violence, or civil conflict Non-Refoulement: A principle contained in Article 33 of the 1951 Convention which states that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom Government Assisted Refugees (GARS): Convention Refugees selected from abroad by the Government of Canada for resettlement. GARs hold Permanent Resident (PR) status upon arrival and receive financial and other support from the Government of Canada for up to one year Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs): Convention Refugees selected from abroad by a Private Sponsor who agrees to provide financial and other support for one year. PSRs hold Permanent Resident status upon arrival Blended Visa Office Referrals (BVOR): Refugees who are selected from abroad by the Canadian Visa Post; whose migration to Canada is facilitated by the International Migration Organization (IMO) with the assistance of the UNHCR; and who are resettled in Canada as Permanent Residents after medical and security screening. These individuals receive blended government and private financial support for up to 6 months Refugee Claimants: Foreign nationals who apply for refugee protection from within Canada, or at a port of entry. Once their asylum claims are approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), these individuals can apply for Permanent Resident status Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB): An administrative tribunal mandated to hear and make decisions regarding the cases of refugee claimants Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC): The government department responsible for developing, maintaining, and revising policies and programs having to do with refugees and immigrants in Canada Designated Country of Origin (DCO): DCOs are considered safe countries by CIC and, as a result, their nationals have shorter timelines for refugee status claims and are not allowed to appeal a negative decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). As of 2012, these countries include Mexico, the USA and most countries in the EU (including Hungary and Czech Republic, despite being source countries for most Roma refugees). 3

4 Interim Federal Health (IFH): The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is a federal program which provides limited, temporary, taxpayer-funded coverage of health-care benefits to resettled refugees, refugee claimants and others who are not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. In 2012, many changes were made which drastically reduced the coverage that refugees and claimants are eligible to receive. This policy may be amended from time to time. COMMON ACRONYMS CBSA CIC DCO GAR IDP IFHP IOM IRB IRPA CCIS PP PSR SAH UNHCR RAP MCRC Canadian Border Service Agency Citizenship and Immigration Canada Designated Country of Origin Government Assisted Refugee Internally Displaced Persons Interim Federal Health Program International Organization for Migration Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Protected Persons Privately Sponsored Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holder United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Resettlement Assistance Program Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre 4

5 Executive Summary Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) has developed this report to provide a clear picture of the recent activities, trends, and policies related to refugee resettlement on a global, national, and local scale. As the numbers throughout this report show, the worldwide refugee situation has been worsening, and projections indicate that the numbers of refugees in need of support will continue to increase indefinitely. Bearing in mind that 50% of the world s refugees are currently children, it is imperative that the global community take action and develop strategies and solutions to address this ongoing crisis. On a positive note, we are pleased to report that Calgary is one of the leading cities in providing high-quality resettlement and employment services to refugees achieving successful outcomes for the large numbers of individuals and families who call Calgary their new home. As a principal agency in the field of refugee resettlement, CCIS has made significant contributions to these positive outcomes with the support of our partners and our community, as well as the capacity, experience, and expertise we have developed throughout our 35 years of service delivery. The resettlement of Syrian refugees and their families in Calgary is one example of CCIS proactive response to emerging and impending global situations. CCIS began addressing the developing Syrian refugee crisis in 2013 and, with the support of Bishop Henry and our community partners, CCIS has sponsored over 400 Syrians, 126 of whom have already arrived. This is in addition to 23 Government-Assisted Syrian Refugees who have received our resettlement support in the past 18 months. Calgary continues to be a prosperous city, and we are in the fortunate position to offer our assistance, and create a welcoming community, for those who desperately need our help. At CCIS, we are very proud of what our organization and our city has accomplished in the field of refugee resettlement, and we hope that the tradition of compassion, generosity, and acceptance that we have witnessed in the past will continue for many years to come. For those interested in learning more about the current refugee situation, and the supports in place to address this issue, please enjoy this comprehensive report and visit our website at for additional information. At this time, I would like to thank our many supporters who have enabled CCIS to continue assisting refugees as they begin new lives in Calgary. Vital contributions have been made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Alberta Government, many community partners, staff members, and volunteers. A special thanks to Margaret Styczynska, Manager of our Resettlement and Integration Services, and the staff for their commitment to successful refugee resettlement. Fariborz Birjandian CEO, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society October

6 Children have been the main victim of Iraq and Syrian conflict 6

7 PART 1: REFUGEES FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE With almost 50 million internationally displaced peoples, asylum seekers, and refugees around the globe, the number of individuals forced to flee their homes is currently the highest it has been since World War I. In 2013, there were 16.7 million registered refugees, including 5 million Palestinian refugees who have been in a protracted situation since Since 2013, approximately 50% of the world s refugees have been children. The international community, along with the United Nations, are obligated to identify durable solutions for the safe settlement of these individuals. a) The 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees Throughout the 20 th century, the international community established a set of guidelines, laws, and conventions to ensure the humane treatment of refugees and the protection of their human rights. This process began under the League of Nations in In July of 1951, a diplomatic conference in Geneva saw the adoption of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (later, the 1951 Convention ) which was further amended by the 1967 Protocol. These documents clearly outline who qualifies as a refugee, as well as the legal protection, assistance, and social rights a refugee is entitled to receive. These documents also define a refugee s obligations to host countries, and specify certain categories of individuals (such as war criminals) who do not qualify for refugee status. Initially, the 1951 Convention was more or less limited to protecting European refugees in the aftermath of World War II; however, the 1967 Protocol broadened this scope to address emerging and persistent issues of displacement around the globe. 7

8 The cornerstone of the 1951 Convention is the principle of non-refoulement contained in Article 33, which stipulates that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life, or to their freedom. 1 Nations who are signatories to the 1951 Geneva Convention are obligated under international law to protect refugees in their territory. Canada has been a signatory to the Convention s Protocol since 1969, 2 and Canada s refugee policies and programs have been established to meet these international obligations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is also mandated to protect the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide. Those who do not leave their home country are called Internationally Displaced Persons (IDP) and they remain under the protection of their home state. Individuals who cross an international border by themselves when fleeing persecution are considered asylum seekers (refugee claimants) as they seek protection from another state. Asylum seekers or refugee claimants are individuals who claim protection, but whose situations have yet to be assessed by either the host state or the UNHCR. 3 b) Durable Solutions The UNHCR protects refugees, IDPs, and other individuals who must leave as a result of danger or threat of persecution in their home countries. Often, the UNHCR provides these people with much-needed resources such as food, potable water, and temporary shelter. Moreover, the UNHCR advocates on behalf of these individuals with nation states in order to provide these resources. The UNHCR identifies 3 durable solutions for refugees: 8

9 Voluntary Repatriation: When conditions in the individual s home country have improved in a lasting and meaningful way, enabling them to return with safety and dignity Local Integration in Country of Asylum: When refugees are permitted to stay in their country of asylum with rights that are similar to those of citizens (for example, they may work, attend school, and move freely within the country) Resettlement in a Third Country: When refugees cannot return to their country, or integrate locally in the country of asylum, the third durable solution is their resettlement in another country that will grant them protection and civil rights Fleeing Persecution, Seeking Protection and a Permanent Solution In mid-2014, the UNHCR estimated that the number of refugees under its mandate was 13 million. Of these individuals, approximately 50% were residing in Asia and approximately 28% in Africa. While the movement and resettlement of refugees is a global problem, impoverished nations with limited resources (and which are often refugeeproducing countries themselves) bear the brunt of the issue. In these places, refugees can 9

10 be found living in camps, collective centres, in makeshift shelters, and even out in the open. Top Source Country for Refugees in 2013 Congo Sudan Somalia Syrian Arab Republic Afghanistan Source Country Most refugees live in countries of asylum in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In 2013, Pakistan hosted the largest number of refugees in the world (1.64 million), nearly all of whom originated from Afghanistan. When comparing the number of refugees with the total population of the host country, Jordan, Chad, Lebanon, the Republic of Congo, and Djibouti ranked the highest for refugees populations. In 2013, developing nations hosted 86% of the world s refugees. Top Host Country for Refugees 2013 Turkey Jordan Lebanon Islamic Republic of Iran Pakistan Host Country

11 c) Internally Displaced Persons In addition to refugees, the UNHCR provides assistance and protection to individuals who have been displaced within their own countries. There were an estimated 28.8 million IDPs in 2012, the highest figure in more than 2 decades. 4 According to the UNHCR s own figures, at the end of 2014, 38 million people were forcibly displaced within their countries due to violence; this number represented a significant increase from 33.3 million in 2013, and both figures are higher than any numbers recorded in the past. 5 This dramatic increase can be attributed to violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Syria. At this point, the UNHCR cannot effectively deal with these record numbers of IDPs. In 2014, the UN agency was only able to care for approximately 26 million of the world s IDP population. Currently, the UNHCR assists IDPs as part of a wider intervention on the part of the international community. 6 The Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty d) Global Resettlement of Refugees Resettlement is a protection tool that provides a permanent solution to refugees who cannot be repatriated or who cannot integrate into their country of asylum. In 2012, 89,000 refugees were resettled into a third country, including 66,300 to the United States, 9,600 to Canada (including Government Assisted Refugees and Privately Sponsored Refugees), 5,900 to Australia, 1,900 to Sweden, and 1,200 to Norway. 11

12 PART 2- REFUGEES IN CANADA a) Selection Process for Refugee Resettlement In 2012, the UNHCR estimated that 800,000 of the more than 10 million refugees in the world were in need of resettlement. The UNHCR refers cases for selection to various resettlement countries based on the refugees need for protection, as well as the targets and criteria set by each country. For Canada, the Visa Office establishes whether the refugee is eligible for resettlement in Canada. Selected refugees have to undergo medical and security screening prior to admittance into Canada, the costs of which have become part of the interest-bearing Transportation Loan. Refugees are selected for resettlement in Canada when there is no other durable solution available within a reasonable period of time. Once arrived, refugees can access support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or through the Privately Sponsored Refugee Program (PSR). In 2012, 5,412 individuals arrived as GARs while 4,212 arrived as PSRs. 7 The primary objective of the program is to affirm Canada s humanitarian commitment to assisting refugees in need of international protection through the provision of government assistance, and to support the countries hosting these individuals through responsibility sharing. 8 12

13 b) Resettlement Process for GARs and PSRs Coming to Canada UNHCR refers GARs in need of resettlement to Canadian Visa Post, based on Canada's criteria for resettlement Canadian Private Sponsors of Group of 5 identify refugees in need of protection and send applications to CIC's Centralized Processing Office. Canadian Visa Posts also refer refugees for resettlement consideration through the PSR program Refugees are screened and interviewed by a Canadian Visa Post (medical and security checks) and accepted to Canada as a resettled refugee The International Organization for Migration (IOM) organizes refugees' transportation to Canada. Refugees pay for their screening and travel to Canada (usually through an interest-bearing loan called the "transportation loan" CIC's Matching Centre sends GARs to one of 36 communities in Canada Privately Sponsored Refugees are destined to their sponsor's community b) Refugee Top Source Country of Origin in Canada by Category In 2012, 23,056 refugees settled in Canada with their families. Of these, 9,624 were refugees selected abroad (5,412 GARs and 4,212 PSRs) and 13,432 were refugee claimants and their dependents. In 2012, Canada resettled 26% fewer refugees than in The top 3 countries of origin for these refugees were Colombia (24,454), Afghanistan (20,403), and Iraq (15,409); however, there are significant variations between the 3 refugees categories from these countries, as seen below. GARs PSRs Accepted RC 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5 th Afghanistan Colombia Iraq Iran DRC (Congo) 12,052 11,967 6,701 4,546 4,334 Iraq Afghanistan Ethiopia Sudan Somalia 8,708 8,351 4,891 1,731 1,731 Sri Lanka Colombia Pakistan China Mexico 14,718 12,487 9,766 8,504 5,022 13

14 c) Canada s Refugee Commitment In 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced the implementation of multi-year resettlement commitments in the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, running parallel with existing commitments for the Bhutanese in Nepal and Iraqi refugees in Turkey. These commitments are as follows: Iraqis removed from the Middle East by 2015, toward an overall goal of 20,000 1,000 Bhutanese removed from Nepal by 2015, toward an overall goal of 6,500 5,000 refugees removed from Turkey between 2013 and 2018 (mostly Iraqis and Iranians in the short-term; however, consideration will also be given to Syrians) 200 Syrian GARs removed from Lebanon and Jordan in 2013 and Colombians removed from Ecuador between 2014 and ,000 Eritreans removed from Eastern Sudan and Ethiopia between 2014 and ,500 Congolese removed from Tanzania and Burundi between 2015 and 2018 CIC also announced that ongoing numbers of PSRs would include refugees from: East Africa (Somalis, Eritreans, Ethiopians and Congolese in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda) South Africa (Congolese, Somalis, Eritreans, and Ethiopians) Pakistan (Afghanis) Egypt (Eritreans and Sudanese) Middle East (Iraqis in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan) Additionally, CIC announced a commitment to accept up to 1,100 Syrians through the Privately Sponsored Refugee Program in 2014 (in addition to 200 GARs) as an initial response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. 9 14

15 As of September 30, 2014, more than 6,000 Bhutanese refugees had already arrived in Canada. Our country also continues to assist Iraqi refugees and, building on existing commitments, has promised to assist the resettlement of an additional 3,000. This raises Canada s total resettlement commitment for Iraqis to 23,000. Canada has also expanded its commitment to helping Syrian refugees by resettling an additional 10,000 Syrians over the next 3 years. This raises Canada s total commitment to helping Syrians to 11,300 by the end of Most Syrian refugees resettling in Canada arrive from Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan. The resettlement of refugees is also aided by the efforts of private sponsors in Canada. Some are organized to do so on an ongoing basis, and have signed sponsorship agreements with the Government of Canada to help support refugees as they resettle. These organizations are known as Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) and they are able to sponsor refugees independently, or in collaboration with others in the community. Canada has also introduced a third program to welcome refugees. Launched in 2013, the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program matches those refugees identified for resettlement by the UNHCR with private sponsors in Canada. Refugees benefit from up to 6 months of income support from the Federal Government, while private sponsors provide an additional 6 months of financial assistance. d) Refugee Claimants in Canada Refugees who come by their own means are able to make their claims inland or at the Canadian border. The number of people arriving in this way varies from year to year. Their claims are assessed by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), an independent administrative tribunal responsible for hearing refugee claims and determining whether or not these individuals should be accepted as refugees in Canada. 15

16 If their claim is rejected, refugee claimants have the possibility to appeal the decision. (This possibility is based largely on whether or not their country of origin has been deemed safe by CIC). Those whose claims are denied will usually be asked to return to their countries of origin. The asylum program works to provide refugee protection to people in Canada who have a well-founded fear of persecution, or are at risk of torture or cruel and unusual punishment in their home countries. In 2012, 13,432 Refugee Claimants and their dependents landed in Canada. In 2014, more than 13,500 people came to Canada to make asylum claims. Not everyone is eligible for asylum; for example, people convicted of serious criminal offences and individuals who have had previous refugee claims denied by Canada are not permitted to make a claim. The number of people seeking asylum in Canada is dropping significantly. Global asylum claims were up 28% in 2013 from 2012, driven largely by the crisis in Syria. In the same period, refugee claims in Canada fell by almost half. Canada has also dropped down the list of destination countries for refugees, falling from the second-highest in 2008 to number 16 out of 44 industrialized countries in This drop in refugee claims stems from changes made by the federal government to Canada s asylum system in December This reform was meant to significantly reduce the processing time of refugee claims. The changes included the development of a list of countries (the Designated Countries of Origin List ) which identifies countries deemed safe by the Minister. Claimants from these countries have shorter timelines and are not permitted to appeal a negative decision from the IRB. 10 These changes have restricted the claim process for nationals of 37 countries considered safe by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, including Mexico, Hungary, and the Czech Republic; the latter 2 of which are source countries for most Roma Refugee Claimants. In 2013, the number of claims referred to the IRB was the lowest since the board s formation in Since 2013, these numbers have begun to slowly rise again. 16

17 The 2 charts below provide an overview of the changes in the numbers of Refugee Claimants and their acceptance rates since the IRB s inception in

18 The Refugee Claim Process in Canada Refugee Claim made at a Canadian border or a CIC office in Canada. Timelines will be different for each. Refugee Claimants have 15 or 30 days to submit the BoC and have to submit all supporting documents (medical assessments, official documents, articles etc.) CIC/CBSA officer determines if claim is eligible and sets a date for hearing at the IRB 30 or 60 days later Hearing at IRB Decision can be rendered during the hearing or sent by mail BOC Basis of Claim: Document in which refugee claimants tell their story and their reasons for applying for refugee status Claim accepted Claim rejected Claim rejected Minister May Appeal Any Decision Removal Claim Accepted Appeal at the IRB- Claimants have 15 days after receiving a negative decision to file an appeal Not eligible for appeal Note: Some refugee claimants have the right to appeal IRB s negative decisions and some do not, depending on their country of origin Removal 18

19 PART 3- REFUGEES IN CALGARY Whether the city is booming or suffering the impacts of an economic downturn, refugees continue to arrive in Calgary. All categories of refugees are represented in the city, including GARs, PSRs, BVORs, and Refugee Claimants. a) Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) When Government Assisted Refugees are selected abroad and brought to Canada, CIC determines which city each family or individual will be sent to, based on the numbers and resources allocated to each city across the country. Refugees that arrive in the city selected for them are called Destined Refugees and those who transfer from another city are called Transferees. GARs arriving in Calgary receive immediate and essential resettlement support services from the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), including temporary accommodation at the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre (MCRC). Calgary receives about 300 Destined Refugees and 90 Transferees each year GAR's to Calgary by Country *data from CCIS internal statistics Top Source Countries of GAR's in Calgary Afghanistan Bhutan Ethiopia Iraq Myanmar (Burma) Somalia *data from CCIS internal statistics 19

20 GARS to Calgary Destined Transferees TOTAL Government Assisted Refugee (GAR) Destined Targets by Province/City Target by Province By City Target by Target by Province By City Province By City AB 900 Edmonton 394 AB 880 Edmonton 385 AB 845 Edmonton 370 Calgary 315 Calgary 308 Calgary 295 Lethbridge 71 Lethbridge 69 Lethbridge 67 Red Deer 65 Red Deer 64 Red Deer 61 Medicine Medicine Hat 55 Medicine Hat 54 Hat 52 Final after PT consultations - May 2013 b) Resettlement Services for GARs Refugees often do not have the resources to immediately establish themselves and their families in Canada. CIC works with an extensive network of partners and stakeholders, such as CCIS, to support the delivery of a wide range of settlement services that have been designed to ease the integration of refugees. Individuals and families selected under the Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) program are provided with immediate and essential services, as well as income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) to support their initial settlement in Canada. In Calgary, these RAP services (which aim to ensure that GARs are able to live safely and independently after resettling in Canada) are provided by CCIS. 11 Income support is typically provided for up to one year, or until the client becomes selfsufficient (whichever comes first). CIC provides RAP income support to eligible clients 20

21 who cannot pay for their own basic needs. The amount of monthly income support for shelter, food, and incidentals are guided by the prevailing provincial or territorial basic social assistance rates in the client s province or territory of residence. In addition to income support, RAP provides immediate and essential services and support (during the first 4 to 6 weeks after arrival in Canada) to address the basic needs of GARs and to help them begin their resettlement processes. These services include: Port of entry and reception services Temporary accommodation Assistance in finding permanent accommodations Needs assessment Information and orientation Connections and referrals to other federal and provincial programs, as well as to other settlement services in the community 21

22 c) Inadequacy of Income and Housing Support The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) is tasked with locating permanent, accommodations for the GARs it supports. The Housing and Landlord Liaison at CCIS is responsible for procuring accommodations for all GARs, who are expected to relocate from their temporary accommodations at MCRC within 19 days. The government s financial support for housing for GARs is, however, limited. As a result, these clients often face financial challenges. At the forefront of these challenges is finding and securing adequate and safe accommodation that is also affordable. The housing market in Calgary has historically been very competitive; the city s rental apartment vacancy rates can, at times, be the most restricted in the country. Housing providers also face multiple barriers, as few of them are adequately prepared or resourced to meet the needs of the refugee population. According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, linguistic and cultural challenges, and inability to deal with refugee-specific issues also hamper appropriate responses to the housing crisis for GARs. Other notable challenges encountered by GARs and RAP providers as they search for accommodations include: Time constraints versus housing availability Large family compositions that may lead to space restraints Indifference or hostility towards newcomers among the potential host community Financial constraints due to lack of employment readiness Selectiveness of clients in regards to location, type of house and lease agreement Refugee rental applications may not meet landlord requirements Lack of Canadian credit or tenancy history Unavailability of accessible accommodations for GARs with physically disabilities Type of Accommodation for RAP clients (%) 5% 32% 30% 22% 11% Cond/Ap. T.House House Bst. Shared The pie chart above outlines the type of housing available to GARs in The following table provides examples of income support for GARs, based on family size, and the discrepancy in rental rates. 22

23 RAP Benefits for GARs (April 2015) Family Size Min. Space Required Room Min. Rent RAP Rent Allowance Differen ce +/- Total RAP Monthly Allowance Balance Comments Single Challenge with female $ 480 $398 $-82 $796 $316 client Couple 1 BR $1000 $536 $-464 $1244 $244 Utilities are not include Family of 2 BR 3 $1250 $658 $-592 $1428 $178 Utilities are not include Family of 2 BR 4 $1250 $695 $-555 $1542 $292 Utilities are not include Family of 3 BR 5 $1400 $705 $-645 $1688 $338 Utilities are not include Family of 4 BR 6 $1600 $1025 -$575 $1952 $352 $ 300 rent supplement Family of 4+ BR 7 $1800 $1045 $-755 $2025 $225 $ 300 rent supplement Family of 5 BR 8 $1900 $1065 $-835 $2273 $373 $ 300 rent supplement Single BR $900 $646 $-254 $1127 $227 Utilities are not include Single +2 2 BR $1250 $666 $-584 $1191 $-59 Utilities are not include d) Geographical Location and Accommodation of GARs in Calgary Affordable housing is mostly available in certain quadrants of Calgary (as outlined in the table below), with the majority of refugees destined to the NE quadrant of the city. RAP successfully assisted 485 GARs in acquiring housing in the and fiscal years. Of these, 68.8% found placement in the NE, while 14.6% were placed in the NW, 11.5% found residence in the SE, and only 5.1% secured housing in the SW. Quadrant NE NW SW SE Neighbourhoods with Affordable Housing Availability Rundle, Whitethorn, Falcon Ridge, Taradale, Castle Ridge, Marlborough, Bridgeland Center Street N, Huntington Hills and Coventry Hills Westbrook, 14 th Street, and 26 th Ave SW Penbrooke and Forest Lawn Although unintentional, this relegation of refugees to specific areas of the city inevitably results in the creation of ethnic enclaves. For many refugees, this provides several benefits and also poses many challenges related to integration. As refugees progress in their resettlement, they are in a better position (financially, culturally, etc.) to relocate to other communities in the city. Many of them choose, however, to remain in the initial communities that have provided them with a sense of belonging. 23

24 e) Resettlement Services for PSRs *Red area indicates high concentration of refugees Private sponsors are responsible for providing financial, practical, and emotional support to PSRs for one year, or until the refugee becomes financially independent, should this occur sooner. This includes assistance with obtaining housing, clothing and food. In Calgary, PSRs are sponsored by 8 Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) who have signed an agreement with CIC stating that they will support refugees for their first year in Canada. CIC assists parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Calgary (the largest SAH in the city) to sponsor refugees each year PSR's in Calgary PSR's *Very little date is available- the above table provides PSR statistics from CCIS only 24

25 f) Resettlement Services for BVORs Blended Visa Office Referred Refugees (BVORs) receive 6 months of RAP income support, while private sponsors provide an additional 6 months of financial assistance and up to 1 year of social and emotional support. These supports are in addition to the settlement services funded by CIC to help all newcomers, including refugees, settle and integrate into their new communities. g) Resettlement Services for Refugee Claimants The federal government does not fund settlement services for Refugee Claimants until they have been accepted as Permanent Residents in Canada. These services, albeit limited, are funded by immigrant serving agencies. h) Resettlement Services for All Refugees Refugee Category Services Provided GARs Temporary housing for up to 19 days are MCRC Package of RAP Services PSRs, BVORs, and Special Projects Refugee Claimants Initial Needs Assessment Application for mandatory documents (PR, SIN, Alberta Healthcare, CTB) Information and orientation related to daily life in Canada Referrals (to schools, health and community resources, etc.) Employment services Follow-up services and ongoing support One-on-one supportive counseling Assistance with OYW application Workshops and group sessions Referrals (to legal, health and financial services) Assistance with work permit applications Employment services upon receiving work permits 25

26 i) Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) The Interim Federal Health Program is a federally administered program originally introduced to provide healthcare to all refugees, particularly those not covered by a provincial health insurance program. Until June 2012, the IFH covered all categories of refugees, including refugee claimants; however, on June 30, 2012, the federal government introduced amendments to the IFH which resulted in a tiered healthcare system for refugees, which includes 3 streams of coverage. Each stream caters to different refugee categories and the level of coverage now varies accordingly. The Expanded Healthcare stream covers GARs, the Healthcare stream provides limited coverage for accepted Refugee Claimants and PSRs, and the Safety Healthcare stream provides extremely limited services to refugees from the Designated Countries of Origin (DCO) list as well as rejected claimants. Streams of Healthcare Coverage after the June 2012 Amendments to IFHP Coverage Streams Expanded Health Care Health Care Public Health and Safety Health Refugee Categories PSRs and Refugee Claimants Covered GARs Accepted Refugee from DCO list and Claimants Rejected Claimants Hospital Services Covered Covered Covered only if there is a risk to public health Covered Covered Covered only if there is a risk to public health Doctor and Nurse Services Laboratory Covered Covered Covered only if there is a risk to public health Ambulance Covered Covered Not Covered Prescribed Medicine & Vaccines Limited Vision and Dental Care Covered Covered only if there is a risk to public health Covered only if there is a risk to public health Covered Not Covered Not Covered As of November 2014, temporary measures for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) came into effect to address the findings of the July 2014 Federal Court decision. While the matter is in the process of being appealed, the Government has implemented temporary healthcare measures (as of November 5, 2014) that are consistent with the Federal Court s ruling. Under the temporary measures, most beneficiaries are eligible to receive coverage for hospital, medical, and laboratory services, including pre and post-natal care, as well as diagnostic services. This coverage is similar to that received by Canadians under their provincial and territorial healthcare plans

27 j) Assistance for All Newcomers, Including Refugees CIC also funds a Settlement Program that supports newcomers as they establish themselves and adapt to life in Canada. CIC works with provinces and territories, local service providers (such as CCIS), as well as a range of other partners and stakeholders in delivering these services, which include: Needs Assessment and Referral Services to increase newcomers awareness of their settlement needs, and to link them with CIC-funded and community services that will help them to address these challenges Information and Orientation Services to help newcomers better understand life in Canada and make informed decisions about their settlement processes. This includes the Canadian Orientation Abroad program, delivered by the International Organization for Migration, which provides general information on settlement while prospective immigrants are still overseas Language Training (in English or French) to help newcomers acquire the necessary communication skills to function in Canadian society Employment Services to help newcomers search for, secure, and retain employment in regulated and non-regulated professions Community Connections that enable newcomers to access assistance in public institutions, establish social ties with other Canadians, and actively participate in Canadian society Support Services to help newcomers access settlement support such as childcare, transportation assistance, translation and interpretation services, provisions for persons with disabilities, as well as short-term crisis counseling to address settlement issues 13 Orientation to Life in Canada Workshop at CCIS 27

28 k) One Refugee s Story Every refugee has a unique story, and this is one of the many examples of how one refugee came to successfully resettle in Calgary in The identity of this individual, who originated from Rwanda, has been protected. What is your professional background and work history? I was a Nurse. I worked in a hospital for 14 years in my country. In 2011, I went with my family to Kenya where I studied and received a degree in Community Development. I volunteered in Kenya, at first assisting clients who were sick with HIV and AIDS, later on I got a job with the UNHCR as a Community Health Worker with refugees. Where was the last country you lived before coming to Canada? What was your living situation like there? My last country of residence was Kenya. I lived in the city. My living situation was not bad because I received a scholarship which helped with my living allowance. After that, I got a job and I supported myself and my kids. The only thing I would say is that it was hard for me affording the school fees for my kids, therefore their school was delayed. How did you arrive in Canada? I came as a Government Assisted Refugee. Did you come to Canada with any other family members? I came with my daughter and 2 sons. Why did you come to Canada? I was a refugee in Kenya for 10 years. Life was hard as I was struggling to make a living and take care of my children. I basically didn t have future, neither did my kids. I was recognized refugee in Kenya from UNHCR and I applied for resettlement and my file as accepted. I was one of the lucky refugees who was chosen to come to Canada and I am so happy and grateful that I was accepted to come here. I heard a lot of good stories about Canada and that it is a land of opportunities so I was excited. After arriving in Calgary, what was your employment/living situation before you came to CCIS? I came directly to CCIS to the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre, which was our first home. How did you hear about CCIS? I was destined client to Calgary. I was sent from the Airport directly to Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Center with CCIS where we stayed for couple of weeks. What has happened since you completed CCIS services and programs? 28

29 My Family was so lucky to stay in the reception house for more than 19 days, we received all the information sessions we needed, it prepared us to deal with things on our own when we moved out. Another bonus that helped us to settle quicker is speaking English. We were also so lucky when we moved to our permanent accommodation which was one of the transitional housing with CCIS. We appreciated the affordable rent and we stayed there for one year and half. Did you have any lasting impressions of your time with CCIS? CCIS helped us very much in our resettlement. They provided us with all the information needed to support ourselves. I also appreciate the referrals our counselor did for us to connect us with schools. All my family successfully completed level 5 English and because of that we were able to secure employment. My daughter was able to continue her education and she finished her Medical Office Assistant certificate at Bow Valley College and currently working in two clinics. One of my sons finished two year college at SAIT where he finished studying Business Administration precisely Financial Services. He worked RBC bank and currently at Scotia bank as Financial Advisor. For myself, I am currently working as community rehabilitation worker with Universal Rehabilitation Agencies service. My youngest son finished his ESL and now working part time. He is looking at taking short courses at SAIT. In general we doing very well and can afford to do things on our own. Our biggest success would be paying our government loans. Until today when we have any concern or need clarification we call our counselor Fatima and she is always willing to help us and we are gratefully. The last thing I would like to add is that I think all the immigrant who come to CCIS will integrate faster and with less challenges because they have enough information needed to settle in Canada. Celebrating at MCRC July

30 PART 4- REFUGEES ARE OUR NEIGHBOURS As the global numbers of refugees continues to increase due to violence, conflict, and civil unrest, refugees turn to countries such as Canada for safety, opportunity, and a new place to call home. They are our neighbours, bringing with them diversity, different cultural perspectives, and unique life experiences. Let us embrace the opportunity to learn from refugees, and grow together as Canadians UNHCR http// news release Minister Jason Kenney June 20,