Some have recently called for newly arrived Government-Assisted Syrian refugees to be converted to private sponsorship: the CCR does not agree and wishes to underline that this would undermine the important principle that government resettlement and private sponsorship are two complementary but distinct programs. The government has a responsibility on behalf of all Canadians to resettle refugees. Through private sponsorship, Canadians can add to the number of refugees offered protection and a new home.
The CCR welcomes the federal government's recently announced Syrian Family Links initiative and encourages private sponsors to consider sponsoring refugees identified through this initiative.
Action suggestions for Canadians wanting to sponsor or assist Syrian refugees
Thousands of people right across Canada have stepped up to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis. The CCR offers some action suggestions particularly suited for those inspired to privately sponsor refugees.
The right way to settle refugees The following is an excerpt from an article contributed to the Globe and Mail by Debbie Douglas (Executive Director of OCASI) and Janet Dench (CCR Executive Director).
"Some newly arrived Syrian refugees are in need of support to get settled in Canada; some motivated Canadian citizens are waiting impatiently for Syrians to sponsor … isn’t the logical solution to match the two together, converting the already arrived government-assisted refugees into privately sponsored refugees?
No. This would be a bad solution for refugees in the longer term..." Click here to read more
Renewing Canada's Private Sponsorship Program
Unique in the world, Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program has faced dramatic challenges in recent years. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, thousands of groups are now springing up across Canada eager to sponsor refugees. There is enormous potential here to renew the program; however, to take advantage of this new momentum, important changes must be made to the program.
The uprooted education project:
Access to education for precarious status migrant youth
February 10, 2016 at 2pm EST
This webinar will detail a project undertaken by the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto to explore how the unique trajectories and social locations of migrant youth with precarious immigration status intersect with access to, and involvement in, Ontario high schools. Focusing on five salient themes, the webinar will provide participants with a deeper awareness of this issue, as well as promising practices, recommendations and possibilities for expanding the project to other provinces.
Winter working group meetings, 26 - 27 Feb, Toronto
Do you want to be part of efforts to promote rights for refugees? Want to participate in in-depth discussions on pressing issues affecting refugees and immigrants in Canada? Looking for an opportunity to share information and strategies with others from across Canada?
Anyone interested is welcome to participate, especially CCR members; however meetings are closed to media and government employees. There is no cost to participate and there is no need to register in advance.
The Working Group meetings will be held: 26 - 27 February 2016 in Toronto
If your organization is not yet a member of the CCR, you may be missing out on perks like event registration discounts, free webinars and online resources for CCR members only.
By joining the CCR, you will become part of a vibrant and dynamic national network of over 170 organizations committed to refugee and migrant rights and the integration of newcomers.
Not with an organization? Individuals can join as Associate Members.
* Membership is not open to members of government or to members of the media
To find out more on how to become a member of the CCR, please visit: ccrweb.ca/en/join
Do you want to be part of efforts to promote rights for refugees? Want to participate in in-depth discussions on pressing issues affecting refugees and immigrants in Canada? Looking for an opportunity to share information and strategies with others from across Canada?
