1. Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Presentation ARAISA – St. John’s, Newfoundland September 2010 Ron Parent, CIC, IPMB, Refugee Resettlement Program Delivery

2. Targets and Populations – 2010 7500 GARs (1900 for Quebec); 5000 PSRs ~70 different nationalities Largest numbers: –Iraq –Bhutanese –Afghanistan –Colombia –Iran –Various African populations (Somalia, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia) –Burmese (Karens) 2

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4. 4 Matching Centre/Destining SPO capacity surveys helping to better inform destining 2010 challenging : –Domestic (Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Charlottetown) –International (BA strike, volcano, Bangkok violence)

5. 5 High Needs GARs No decrease in numbers Impacts being felt nationally – particular challenges for smaller centres Medical escort cases Disabilities/wheelchair cases Trustee/Guardian Longer term care cases

6. High-needs GARs “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form” is being piloted in Singapore, Damascus and Nairobi –Form provides additional information about refugees’ needs during travel and upon arrival in Canada –Needs Assessment form is key in making sure POE and final destination are aware and can prepare. JAS Working Group –Brings together CIC, SPOs and sponsors –Will work toward developing better communications and increasing the sponsorship of JAS cases 6

7. RAP Budget – Contributions/Conversions

8. 8 High-Needs GARs “Case Management” type initiatives ongoing: –Ontario Client Support Services program –Edmonton –Vancouver –Halifax –Others

9. 9 Issues/Challenges from Case Management Primary GAR gaps being identified: –Physical & emotional/mental health –Interim Federal Health (IFH) –Language and interpretation –Financial/budgeting –Education –Employment –General settlement

10. 10 Top challenges after one year of resettlement As self-identified by GAR clients during exit interviews: 1.Adapting to a new country and culture 2.Finding a job 3.Learning English 4.Shopping on a low budget 5.Accessing health care services 6.Budgeting and managing money 7.Filing income tax return 8.Understanding and following up with mail/correspondence 9.Interpretation 10.Finding appropriate housing accommodations

11. 11 RAP Developments IP3, Part II finalized RAP training for CIC officers - CBT: –Introduction to RAP –Preparing to meet the client –Calculating support and benefits –Client intake interview –Managing the client file RAP officer mandatory learning plan (CIC)

12. RAP Income Support Administration Review Ensures national consistency Activities completed in the past year –Compared SA rates with RAP rates in each centre –Reviewed NCBS provincial policies and related RAP administration Atlantic Region – implementation of changes Direct deposit pilot

13. 13 Canadian Orientation Abroad 11 COA facilitators visited Canada in 2009 IOM organized observation visits for RAP SPO staff to COA sites overseas Visits to Nairobi, Damascus and Damak/Kathmandu Final report to be shared widely

14. GAR-RAP Evaluation Overall goals of the evaluation Consultant/CIC R&E have started work Report anticipated in late 2010

15. RAP Terms and Conditions Linked to GAR-RAP evaluation Existing Ts&Cs received continuation until September 2011 - unchanged Concurrent process – Ts&Cs being reviewed while evaluation is ongoing RAP WG was consulted; work ongoing

16. 16 Performance Management Framework The renewed RAP Ts&Cs will include a PMF Potential outcome indicators have been developed following an extensive literature review and in consultation with SPOs, CICs, SAHs Final indicators selected will consider current data collection and will align with Departmental PMF and the Settlement PMF (under development)

17. Refugee Reform 17 Canada has two refugee program streams: Refugee Resettlement Program –This program is founded on Canada’s humanitarian traditions. –Refugees are referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or are privately sponsored for resettlement to Canada. –Canada accepts a specific number of refugees each year through this program. In-Canada Asylum System ―People arrive in Canada and make an asylum claim either at a port of entry or at a CIC office. ―No annual targets – virtually all claims made on Canadian territory are considered. ―Eligible claims are decided by the independent Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). In 2009, Canada resettled over 12,400 refugees from abroad and received over 33,200 asylum claims.

18. 18 Refugee Reform Bill C-11: the Balanced Refugee Reform Act received Royal Assent on June 29, 2010 Reforms will improve Canada’s asylum system, resettle more refugees from abroad and increase funding for in-Canada support to resettled refugees

19. Enhancing Overseas Protection To complement changes to the in-Canada asylum system, measured have also been taken to enhance the resettlement of refugees from overseas by: –Increasing the annual target for resettled refugees by 2,500 for a total target of 14,500. This would include up to: 500 additional government-assisted refugees and 2,000 additional privately sponsored refugees –Increasing funding under the Resettlement Assistance Program to help refugees from abroad settle in Canada (except Quebec). 19

20. Implementation Timelines 20 2010-112011-122012-2013 GAR increase125300500 PSR increase50015002000 Phased-in approach Minimal increases for 2010-2011 Time now for provincial engagement

21. Provincial Engagement: Government-Assisted Refuges (GARs) GAR targets have remained the same since before the creation of the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) in 1998 Levels were determined through consultations between CIC and provinces Currently, there are 23 GAR receiving centres across Canada outside of Quebec 21

22. Questions for Provinces Regarding GARs Interest in taking new GARs? Rebalance existing GAR centres? –Includes receiving GARs in new centres; capacity required –Rebalance must be cost neutral Taking fewer GARs? 22

23. 23 Refugee Reform – Impacts on RAP Funding Increased numbers

24. RAP Budget - Overall