Resettlement
There are an estimated 10.5 million refugees in the world today. Countries with resettlement programs resettle about 100,000 refugees from abroad each year. Of that number, Canada annually takes in one out of every 10, through the government-assisted and privately sponsored refugee programs. In 2008, Canada was second to the United States among all industrialized countries for providing protection to refugees from abroad and at home.
Continuing Canada’s tradition as a leader in international refugee protection, we will:
- increase the number of refugees resettled from abroad and
- increase resettlement assistance provided to refugees.
As part of the refugee reform package, the government will increase its resettlement efforts by 2,500, including up to 500 government-assisted refugees and 2,000 privately sponsored refugees. This increase would be phased in over the next few years and would bring the total number of refugees resettled by Canada to as many as 14,500 a year.
Refugees selected for resettlement to Canada have often fled their homes because of unimaginable hardship and have, in many cases, been forced to live in refugee camps for many years. When they arrive in Canada, they basically pick up the pieces of their lives and start over again.
To enhance services for government-assisted refugees in Canada, the funding for the Resettlement Assistance Program would be increased to $54 million a year. This is an increase of over $9 million annually—the first increase since the fund was created in 1998. Additional program funding for increases to the Government-Assisted Refugees Program and the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program would also be available as needed.
The amount of monthly income support provided to government-assisted refugees is based on current provincial social assistance rates. It provides the minimum amount required to cover only the most basic food and shelter needs until the refugees are able to become self-sufficient.
This support is normally available for up to one year but may extend up to two years for refugees with special needs.
The Resettlement Assistance Program provides income support to government-assisted refugees and offers other essential services such as:
- welcoming at the point of entry
- temporary housing
- help to find permanent housing
- other settlement services, including financial assistance.
These resettlement services are in addition to settlement services and programs funded by CIC to help all newcomers, including refugees, settle and integrate into their new communities.