08/07/12-Community groups can sponsor refugees in Canada
By Wali Farah
In the April issue of the Safari Post, I mentioned a number of programs the Canadian government designed to facilitate the sponsorship of refugees to resettle in Canada. In that issue,I briefly described the program and process known as the “group of five”refugee sponsorship. To recap, a group of five Canadian adults who are gainfully employed can sponsor a refugee or refugees.
However, there is another program in which Canadians and permanent residents can employ to assist the resettlement of refugees in Canada. One such program is called “community
sponsors.”
Who qualifies to be a community group sponsor for the purpose of sponsoring refugees?
A community sponsor could
be: 1) an organization 2) an association or 3) a corporation. Such associations
or organizations do not have to be incorporated under provincial or federal
law.
Any of the above groups is required to offer its financial and emotional commitment to the sponsored refugees during their resettlement in Canada. Usually, this is one year in duration.
The community group must be in the same town or city in which the refugees would be resettled. For instance, if the refugees would be resettling in Ottawa, the group must be located in Ottawa.
Sometimes, someone may wish to sponsor a refugee and team up with a community group to sponsor the refugee or refugees. In this case, the person is called co-sponsor and this person must agree to help the refugees’ resettlement. This person takes the responsibility of assisting the refugees financially and emotionally.
Community groups can only file a maximum of two sponsorship applications per year.
Quebec has its own Immigration processes, thus sponsoring refugees must be done under Quebec Ministry of Immigration. If you live in Quebec, please consult with that ministry.
Wali Farah (M.ED) is a full Member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). You can contact himat: (613) 762-1840
Source: Safari Post