Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Assurance Strategy: SAH National Conference 2018 Toronto, ON International Network Resettlement Operations Division (ROD)
Overview The purpose of this presentation is to: • Provide context regarding developments in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program; • Share the rationale behind the need to ensure that refugees sponsored under the PSR Program are adequately supported; • Explain further work that IRCC will be undertaking in this area. 2
Context/Issues • IRCC has always had a responsibility to monitor and to ensure that PSRs were being adequately supported; sponsors also shared this same responsibility. For SAHs, this was outlined in the previous Sponsorship Agreement, as well as the current one. • The Department is already committed to ensuring positive settlement outcomes for PSRs (Evaluation of the Resettlement Programs, Minister’s mandate letter), and there is increased domestic and international interest in the PSR Program as a result of the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI). • Both the number of PSR (including BVOR) arrivals and new sponsoring groups, often with less experience, have increased significantly over time and in particular during and since Operation Syrian Refugees (OSR). o 3,500 arrivals in 2008 compared to 5,200 in 2014 and a target of 19,500 in 2018; o Number of SAHs increasing to 113*; o Increased number of applications from G5 and CS; o Increasing trend is expected to continue with 21,700 arrivals planned in 2020. • There has been an increasing number of reports of refugees being charged fees and/or providing own funds for resettlement and of inadequate financial/settlement support. 3
PSR Program Assurance • There is an identified need to ensure that adequate support for successful integration is being provided to PSRs, to maintain confidence by the Department and the Canadian public, and to ensure the best possible outcomes for PSRs. • Adequate support includes: o Financial support from sponsors - possible issues include insufficient or no support being provided, refugees needing to provide funds to their sponsor, sponsors charging fees to refugees, forced employment. o Other support from sponsors - possible issues include no settlement support or contact from sponsors, refugees not given autonomy to make decisions, referrals to essential services and PT/Federal programs not taking place. • In addition to ensuring the adequacy of support, Program Assurance work can also identify possible violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and/or the Criminal Code (e.g., misrepresentation, fraud, etc.) – such findings would be referred to partners for follow-up. 4
Program Assurance – Possible Activities Increased Outreach to • Provide improved awareness of supports available through PSR Refugees Program and a point of contact where they can report concerns. • Review a sample of PSR and BVOR cases to confirm that adequate Support Verification supports are being provided and to address any issues that are identified. • Address individual cases with reported issues of inadequate support Compliance Verification for SAHs, G5s and CSs. • Assess groups with reported concerns to ensure that organizations Additional Sponsor Monitoring are meeting their sponsorship commitments. • Review by ROC-O of a greater number of sponsorship applications Application Reviews submitted by sponsors where issues of concern have been previously identified. 5
PSR Program Assurance - IRCC Activities to Date In the last year, a limited number of activities have been undertaken in the area of PSR Program Assurance: Case Specific • Address individual cases with reported issues of inadequate support for G5, CS and SAHs. Intervention • Undertook monitoring exercises for several current/former SAH Monitoring SAHs with reported concerns to ensure that these organizations were meeting their sponsorship commitments. Application • Review by ROC-O of Sponsorship Applications submitted by sponsors where issues of concern have been previously Reviews identified. • Include residency requirement follow-ups, strengthening of Other Activities SAH Agreement, outreach to refugees overseas that include program information bulletins and social media info alerts. 6
PSR Program Assurance - Outcomes to Date • Numerous case-specific interventions to address concerns brought to IRCC’s attention, some of which have resulted in dispute resolution, sponsorship breakdown and possible default; • Identification of key issues of concern to IRCC, including: o refugees having paid sponsors for their settlement costs; o refugees not receiving acceptable levels of financial support or being coerced to work to supplement financial support soon after arrival; o a lack of post-arrival support (e.g., refugees unaware of settlement services, not registering for provincial health services, etc.); and o refugees being unaware who their sponsor is aside from their co-sponsor or relative/friend (indicates no connection being made with the SAH or CG). • Decision was made to not renew Sponsorship Agreements with three former SAHs; SAH Agreement management ongoing with current SAHs; • Support and guidance has been provided in over 260 instances to both sponsoring groups, refugees, and local IRCC offices on PSR Program policies, guidelines and IRPA legislation and regulations. 7
Concern Process Notice of Sponsorship Concern •Concern brought to IRCC’s attention • IRCC sends a sponsorship follow-up letter to the SAH • SAH asked to follow up with refugee/other parties to identify concern • SAH asked to send proposed resolution or plan to IRCC within 15 days of Notice Resolution Plan • IRCC ensures resolution/plan meets program requirements • Refugee(s) & other parties to sponsorship ensure resolution/plan is acceptable • If accepted by all, matter is considered closed; if not, additional information requested Request for Additional Information •IRCC sends “Request for Information” letter to SAH • SAH asked to send requested information to IRCC within 30 days Case Review •IRCC reviews information and issues “Results of Case Review” letter • If all parties agree, matter considered closed • If matter still unresolved, sponsorship breakdown results 8
Program Assurance - Benefits • Improved settlement outcomes and supports successful integration of PSRs by ensuring that refugees receive adequate financial and social settlement supports; • Sponsoring groups have a clear understanding of IRCC expectations related to sponsorship obligations, particularly requirements for supports to refugees; • Refugees have increased awareness of the supports they should receive from their private sponsors and where/how to report problems; • IRCC has a strengthened capacity to address and mitigate issues in a timely manner, including emergency situations, related to adequacy of support when they arise; • IRCC, sponsoring groups, the Canadian public have increased assurance/confidence that sponsored refugees are receiving adequate supports. 9
Key Messages for SAHs • Understand and apply program requirements (e.g., SAH Agreement, Financial Support Guidelines, etc.), and ask for assistance and/or clarification as needed; • Early identification of an issue or potential problem may help prevent disputes and breakdowns; we cannot help if we do not know there is an issue; • IRCC is here to assist you if a sponsorship dispute situation arises. If a sponsorship breakdown occurs, it does not necessarily have a negative impact on you as a SAH, it can sometimes be in your best interest to relinquish responsibility for the sponsorship; • IRCC can help SAHs manage unrealistic expectations of support from refugees, and to manage issues before they escalate into disputes or breakdowns; • Please respond to IRCC in a timely manner when asked for information. If an extension on the deadline is requested – please ask and explain; • IRCC must respect the privacy/anonymity of anyone who identifies a potential concern or complaint; • As a SAH, be sure to follow-up with refugees directly as well as with your CGs/co-sponsors; there is often two sides to a story. 10
Next Steps • IRCC is increasing its capacity to undertake additional PSR Program Assurance activities; • Ongoing discussion on implementation with partners such as Council and RSTP (proposed Assurance Working Group, with SAH Council and RSTP representation); and • Implementation of additional activities, including support verification (moving from reactive to proactive in terms of our approach). It is in our collective best interest, particularly SAHs as our trusted partners, to ensure that the PSR Program is working as intended. 11
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