1. New Sponsorship Agreement:
Overview of changes/additions
SAH Conference May 29, 2017

2. Sections covered
1. SAH Responsibilities – Section 5 2. Withdrawals – Section 7 3. Breakdowns – Section 8 4. Default and Revocation – Sections 9 & Financial Guidelines – Appendix 1 6. Definitions – Appendix 4

3. 1. SAH Responsibilities – Section 4
Additions to SAH Responsibilities:
c) All family members listed on the refugee’s application must be included in the Undertaking
d) SAHs must have sufficient cap space when submitting sponsorships
l) SAHs will encourage refugees to access settlement services
p) Refugees have freedom of movement, but SAHs will encourage them to remain in the community of sponsorship

4. SAH Responsibilities (cont’)
More additions:
h) SAH will ensure the CG and/or co-sponsor and PA is notified if the sponsorship application is returned or refused 
m) SAH will exercise due diligence in screening volunteers
Not new, but written separately with more detail:
s) SAH will inform IRCC of issues that could lead to breakdown and work together to find resolution

5. SAH Responsibilities (cont’)
Additional wording:
r) SAH will monitor the sponsors and the refugees
t) SAH will inform IRCC of changes in organizational governance and in persons authorized to sign
These persons must be meet eligibility requirements
These persons may be subject to background screening
Other additions:
b) SAH must have at least 2 representatives in the community of destination
e) SAHs cannot sponsor under Community Sponsorship

6. 2. Withdrawals: Section 7 Additions:
a) Sponsors must advise IRCC in writing of their intent to withdraw and provide their reasons for the withdrawal
Sponsors must make reasonable efforts to coordinate alternate sponsorship arrangements
IRCC will evaluate withdrawal reasons and the Sponsorship Agreement could be affected
Added acceptable reason for withdrawal:
v) New information makes sponsorship no longer viable
Alternative durable solution
Involvement in fraudulent activity
Loss of contact with refugee
Evidence that refugee will not remain in community of settlement
Situations that could affect refugee’s eligibility or admissibility

7. Withdrawal (cont’) Removed as acceptable reasons for withdrawal:
change in relationship between SAH & CG
‘lengthy processing time’ as acceptable reason for withdrawal – but added to IRCC responsibilities section
Added as unacceptable reason for withdrawal:
c) iii. SAH has overextended its ability to support all submitted sponsorships, both financial and in-kind assistance

8. 3.  Breakdown: Section 8
Only 1 change! Removed recognition that lengthy processing times can affect the sponsor’s ability to meet obligations. Reference to lengthy processing is included under Section 6, IRCC responsibilities

9. 4. Default – Section 9 Additional wording:
a) When the SAH is responsible for a breakdown and does not attempt to remedy the situation, default may be declared
c) If a SAH takes responsibility when there is a sponsorship breakdown with a CG or Co-sponsor, IRCC will investigate the situation, and the CG or Co-sponsor may be in declared in default.
Clarification:
d) Financial default ceases upon reimbursement
e) Non-financial default ceases when SAH satisfies IRCC that it is in compliance with obligation

10. 4. Revocation – Section 10 Only 1 addition!
c) Depending on the circumstances for the revocation, IRCC may suspend or cancel the SAH’s Agreement

11. 5. Financial Guidelines - Appendix 1
Additional wording:
b) SAHs required to equal RAP rates – but also “consider social-economic benefits over and above the table”
d) Increased the one-time payment per application that a SAH can collect for administrative costs
Was $100 – now $250
Must keep records of these admin costs but receipts not needed
e) SAHs may not accept funds from the refugee for:
Submission of sponsorship
Prepayment or repayment of lodging, care, assistance
As a guarantee they will remain in community for 1 year

12. Financial Guidelines (cont’)
Addition:
f) SAH must not be a paid representative and will not require relatives to use services of a paid representative
Removed:
SAH may decrease financial support if PSR refused to accept a reasonable job offer

13. Definitions - Appendix 4
Two key changes:
Number of terms defined increased from 49 to 64!!
Location of Definitions section moved to the last Appendix in the Agreement