the syrian refugee crisis and jias toronto’s role 1
TRANSCRIPT
THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISISAND JIAS TORONTO’S ROLE
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What is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)?
A SAH is a “Corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, that signs a Sponsorship Agreement with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada” JIAS Toronto is a SAH
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What are Constituent Groups?
Constituent Groups (CGs) are organizations, private groups or individuals interested in assisting in a sponsorship, and may or may not be related to the refugee family that is being sponsored.
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Financial responsibilities: Covering the basic financial needs and start-up costs of the sponsored family during their first 12 months in Canada.
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Settlement Support responsibilities: Donating your time to help the family after their arrival by: • welcoming them• accompanying them to obtain their OHIP, SIN cards• helping them find long-term housing• accompanying them to buy their first groceries and
household items• assisting them registering their children in school• referring them to a family doctor, dentist• etc.
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COSTS OF SPONSORSHIP (including Start-up Costs):
• Family of 1: $12,600• Family of 2: $21,200• Family of 3: $23,000• Family of 4: $27,000• Family of 5: $29,700• Family of 6: $32,500• Each Additional Member: $ 2,500
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USE OF FUNDS:
• Funds can be used to support JIAS Toronto’s work in the sponsorship, settlement and integration of refugees
• Funds can be used to create a “Contingency / Assurance Fund” in the event that additional costs are required during an undertaking due to the individual circumstances of the refugee family (counselling, orthodontic treatment, unemployment, etc.) or in the event of a sponsorship breakdown
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STEP-BY-STEP SPONSORSHIP PROCESS THROUGH JIAS TORONTO
1. A Constituent Group comes forward
2. References from private individuals, community groups and family members are requested
3. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between JIAS Toronto and the Constituent Group. A detailed list of the roles and responsibilities of both, JIAS Toronto and the Constituent Group is discussed and included in the MoU
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4. The CG secures 60% of the cost of sponsorship NOTE: JIAS Toronto is able to issue charitable tax
receipts at the end of the year for all donations received to support refugees, however, tax receipts will only be issued in the name of the person who signed the cheque
5. A refugee family with family members in Canada is identified (JIAS Toronto is prioritizing family linked refugees or family reunification)
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6. JIAS Toronto and the CG work with the family members in Canada to gather all necessary information for the sponsorship application, as well as all supporting documentation
7. JIAS Toronto completes a “settlement plan” as part of the sponsorship application, which includes the role and participation of the CG’s volunteers
8. JIAS Toronto submits the application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
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9. CIC ensures applicant meets the definition of a “refugee” and that no family member is inadmissible for misrepresentation, or on medical, security or criminality grounds
10.The CG makes monthly payments/gives post-dated cheques to JIAS Toronto during the 6 months following the submission of the application to cover for 100% of the sponsorship costs prior to the refugees’ arrival
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11. CIC approves the application
12. Upon the refugee’s arrival, JIAS Toronto makes monthly deposits into the refugee’s bank account, as per CIC’s Sponsorship Cost Table for a period of 12 months to meet their financial needs
13. JIAS Toronto’s settlement worker coordinates settlement and integration efforts with the CG’s volunteers
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FACTS:
• The average processing time for a Syrian refugee family is between 6-8 months
• The average processing time for all other refugees is between 2-6 years
• CIC verifies all information provided by the refugees, interviews the family and ensures they meet the definition of a “refugee” under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada and its Regulations
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• CIC performs thorough security and medical screenings and ultimately approves or refuses the refugees’ application for permanent residence in Canada
• It is JIAS Toronto’s mandate and responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and to facilitate their settlement and integration while they rebuild their lives in their new home
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• All privately sponsored refugees arrive in Canada as Permanent Residents and are exempted from the 3-month waiting period for OHIP. In addition, they have access to additional health care benefits through the Interim Federal Health Program.
NOTE: In some cases, a refugee family may require additional funds to cover their needs during their first 12 months in Canada. Therefore, building a contingency fund is vital to the sponsorship process.
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WHAT CAN GO WRONG? WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE FUNDS IF AN APPLICATION IS REFUSED?
• If an application is refused, the funds raised will be applied to another sponsorship application
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JIAS TORONTO’S ROLE AS A SAH
• JIAS Toronto will incorporate the extensive and comprehensive settlement work of all sponsored refugees into our caseload; however, we need the community’s assistance to better welcome and support the families after their arrival
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• As a SAH, JIAS Toronto is ultimately liable for every undertaking; therefore, CGs must meet certain financial requirements throughout the sponsorship process
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Financial Requirements:
• 60% of the total cost of the sponsorship prior to the submission of the application
• 40% remaining in 6 monthly payments/post-dated cheques after the submission of the application
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP?• Speak to people you know about offering affordable housing for
the refugee families • Donate furniture, clothing and household items in GOOD
condition after the refugee’s arrival• Approach family doctors, dentists and specialists you know and
ask them if they would take on more patients, if they would shorten their waiting times to give appointments for patients in urgent need & help us coordinate a registry of healthcare professionals
• Volunteer your time helping us connect recently arrived refugees with the community at large
• Fundraise to support JIAS Toronto’s work with refugees and to help us build a contingency/assurance fund to ensure appropriate levels of support and care
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QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
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THANK YOU FOR COMING!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Lia Kisel Janis Roth Language and Settlement Director Executive Director Mondays: 416-635-7044 416-630-6481 Tuesdays: 905-761-5116 [email protected] Wed & Thurs: 416-630-6481 [email protected]
www.jiastoronto.org