Refugee Resettlement Program Mario J. Calla Executive Director

Canada’s Role in Resettlement Canada, 2007 Government 7,574 Assisted Refugee Arrivals Privately Sponsored 3,588 Refugees Landed in Canada 16,794 Refugees Total Refugee 27,956 Arrivals Total Immigrant 236,758 Arrivals

Canada’s Resettlement Service Delivery System Services delivered through non-governmental organizations. NGOs funded by federal, provincial, municipal governments and private donations. NGOs can be multi-service, single service, multicultural or ethno-specific. Over 200 NGOs serving immigrants and refugees in Ontario.

COSTI Immigrant Services Education: English as a Second Language, computer training. Settlement counselling, orientation, translation, documentation. Employment: Canadian business culture, resume writing, job search skills, specialized programs for professionals, youth, women and persons with disabilities. Therapeutic counselling for addictions, mental illness, marital or inter-generational problems. Reception and housing for refugees.

Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) - Financial assistance program that provides for the basic needs of life, including basic household needs, and immediate essential services Reception Services Onward transportation, winter clothing Reception Centres Orientation Temporary assistance Essential needs Mandatory federal and provincial programs Accommodation search assistance Referrals to community services Income Support Mirror social assistance rates Administered by CIC staff Assessed upon arrival for eligibility 12 month terms Up to 24 months for Joint Assistance Sponsorship

Settlement Services: Post Reception Centre Immigrant Settlement Adaptation Program (ISAP) – assessment, referral, orientation and general information, translation Host Program – “be-friending” program matching Canadian volunteers with newcomers Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) ESL Newcomer Support Program (NSP) - like ISAP Employment Ontario

Changes in Refugee Selection as a Result of IRPA Changed selection criteria Less emphasis on “Ability to Establish” Focus on vulnerable refugees Simplified Family Reunification One year window of opportunity

Result: Changing Profile of Refugees Relaxed Emphasis on Ability to Establish means: Seniors Illiterate with little or no education Long-term camp experience (children never attended school, adults never worked) Single parents and large families Lacking in life skills Orphaned children with sibling as head of family Severe medical conditions requiring extensive medical interventions But…not all fit this profile.

Changes as a Result of IRPA The Challenges: Impact on Services: Housing Health Education Legal

Community Service Responses Priority Assessment, placement and referral to ISAP, LINC and Host Closer partnership with ethno-specific agencies Life Skills Case Management Pilot (ISAP) Closer partnership with medical services

Employment Earnings (2000) for immigrants landed by class Total Number Female % Total Avg. $ Male Avg. $ Female Avg. $ Total1,228, ,72329,26919,509 Skilled Worker PA 262, ,60039,44129,110 Business PA16, ,52422,23016,518 Family408, ,64525,98317,555 Refugee177, ,31925,51317,143