CIMM – Post-Arrival Supports – Sudan Public Policy – May 27, 2024
Key Facts And Figures
On February 27, 2024, a new public policy creating a humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for people affected by the conflict in Sudan was launched. It will facilitate the admission of approximately 7,000 Sudanese and non-Sudanese foreign nationals who have a family connection to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The principal applicant must have been residing in Sudan on April 15, 2023, and must have no reasonable prospect, within a reasonable period, of a durable solution in a country other than Canada or Sudan. They must have an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident anchor who signs a statutory declaration of their intention to provide them with support for one year.
Key Messages
Approved clients under the permanent resident pathway for foreign nationals from Sudan will have access to free services funded available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Settlement Program, like all permanent residents.
Supplementary Information
Settlement Program
Through the Settlement Program, in addition to offering core services such as language training and information and orientation services, federally funded settlement service organizations also offer newcomers a number of non-clinical mental health and well-being supports.
Some organizations deliver short-term counselling as well as community-based health information that promotes mental health awareness and access to health care services, in addition to referrals to community health services.
In addition, the federal Settlement Program offers Case Management as a client-centered, comprehensive approach to service delivery for newcomers facing persistent and multiple barriers to integration, which includes a tailored settlement plan, supported by coordinated referrals to settlement and community services.
IRCC also funds organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health to help institutions such as hospitals and community health centres better address newcomers’ mental health needs.
The estimated cost of funding settlement services for permanent residents arriving from Sudan is approximately $51.6M over 15 years. As these arrivals are part of the permanent resident levels plan, this funding is part of the overall levels funding that the Settlement Program will already receive.
Clients arriving through the humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for people affected by the conflict in Sudan require an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident (anchor) who signs a statutory declaration of their intention to provide them with support for one year.
Health Care Coverage
Individuals arriving under the permanent resident pathway from Sudan are eligible for public health insurance in their province or territory, and as such, do not have access to the Interim Federal Health Program.
This pathway has been designed with Canadian anchors who have the means and will to financially support their relatives for one year and who can help facilitate their successful integration upon their arrival to Canada. As part of this requirement, anchors are asked to support their family members arriving under this pathway in covering the cost of any healthcare while waiting for provincial or territorial insurance to be issued.
If pressed on Income Supports (not public):
Approved clients arriving through the Sudan humanitarian pathway are required to have an in-Canada anchor relative who commits to providing them with in-kind and financial support for one year. Income support is not being offered by the Government of Canada to this population at this time, but we continue to assess the needs for this population.
