CIMM - Resettlement Services - Nov 25, 2020

Key messages

• Refugee resettlement to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily restricted by Canadian border closures as well as travel restrictions imposed by other governments.
• Despite these challenges, Canada has been able to uphold its humanitarian tradition and commitment to resettlement by receiving a limited number of resettled refugees who need our help the most, including urgent protection cases, and those with family already in Canada.
• We have been able to continue to resettle refugees, with the support of our partners – the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency. Both of these organizations have helped us facilitate the resettlement of refugees where conditions allow and where appropriate measures are in place to support refugees upon arrival.
• We recognize the crucial role of our delivery partners in supporting Canada’s Refugee Resettlement Program. We sought new funding to address critical financial and operational pressures that these key partners are facing to ensure they can support the Department in meeting our refugee resettlement targets in the 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan.
• Before arranging travel, the Department confirms that service provider organizations and private sponsors are prepared to receive each refugee/newcomer. This includes assisting refugees in complying with the mandatory isolation or quarantine requirements set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• For resettled refugees already in Canada, service provider organizations and sponsors are focusing on delivering critical resettlement and settlement services, including income support and essential services and counselling on COVID-19 measures.

Supplementary messages

Resumption of refugee resettlement

• UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration have resumed operations in most countries and my Department is working with them to facilitate movements where possible. However, practical challenges such as limited international flights and ongoing travel restrictions globally continue to restrict Canada’s ability to resettle refugees, most significantly the prohibition on entry to Canada for resettled refugees whose applications were approved after March 18, 2020.
• My Department is working with these partners to continually assess country conditions, availability of flights and capacity to continue movements of the limited number of resettled refugees who fall under the travel restriction exemptions. The International Organization for Migration is booking travel ready cases that meet Canada’s travel exemption criteria, and where appropriate measures are in place to support them upon arrival.
• With the support of both organizations, some more vulnerable cases are being prioritized where there are significant protection concerns, as well as cases where UNHCR requests to resettle refugees in urgent need of protection due to a high risk of imminent physical harm.
• Prior to making travel arrangements, my Department confirms that sufficient support is available in Canada from Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations and private sponsors to receive new arrivals. This support includes assisting refugees with complying with the mandatory isolation or quarantine requirements set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• My Department maintains ongoing communication with Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations, sponsors, and with provinces regarding refugee resettlement arrivals.

Resettlement partner funding

• The International Organization for Migration and UNHCR are key partners in delivering Canada’s refugee resettlement program.
• Over the last decade, refugee resettlement to Canada has increased significantly. New funding was approved to support these critical partners moving forward, as well as to implement the 2019 mandate letter commitment to resettle up to 250 human rights defenders per year and to build the capacity of private sponsors. The program is on track to be fully operational in the spring of 2021.

Pre-arrival resettlement services

• IRCC and its resettlement partners have implemented measures throughout the resettlement continuum to protect the health and safety of refugees and Canadians by ensuring compliance with Canada’s COVID-19 guidelines.
• Modified orientation services are provided over the phone by the IOM with a COVID-19 focus, including key messages from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• A new notification of arrival process was also implemented to advise provincial and public health authorities of upcoming arrivals.
• In light of the pandemic, my Department signed an agreement with the IOM to deliver additional pre-departure medical services under the Interim Federal Health Program specific to COVID-19 for resettled refugees who qualify for an exemption to border restrictions.
• These measures include pre-embarkation health checks (e.g. temperature checks on the day of departure; provision of masks and hand sanitizer; information and counselling on COVID-19 public health measures in Canada), COVID-19 testing if it is an exit or airline requirement, and isolation services for those with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and for their close contacts.

Resettlement services post-arrival

• My Department is coordinating closely with service provider organizations and private sponsors to ensure that sufficient capacity is available in Canada to receive and support all refugees arriving through the resettlement program.
• To meet the needs of government-assisted refugees on arrival in Canada, my Department has worked to ensure the ongoing delivery of critical resettlement assistance program services, such as the provision of temporary accommodation and orientation services, while meeting public health requirements.
• Government-assisted refugees and other vulnerable newcomers continue to be provided with settlement support via a case management approach, to build independence and gain access to services that facilitate their integration.
• For privately sponsored refugees where travel is possible, IRCC is reaching out to the each sponsor to request written confirmation that:
  • they are able to receive and support the refugees they are sponsoring;
  • they will provide suitable accommodation and living necessities in compliance with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s quarantine guidelines in relation to COVID-19; and
  • the refugees they are sponsoring are willing to travel to Canada in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• My Department is also asking private sponsors to provide updated contact information, including their current email address and telephone number, which is shared with the Canada Border Services Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada should an officer wish to contact the sponsor to inquire about the quarantine or isolation plans for a refugee.

Responsive only:

• Thus far, there have been 11 known COVID-19 positive cases (6 families) among government-assisted refugees arriving in Canada, representing 0.4% of government-assisted refugees arrivals since March 2020. Public health guidelines were followed appropriately with respect to quarantine and self-isolation requirements, and there was no further onward transmission.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency may contact service provider organizations throughout the 14-day quarantine period to follow-up and ensure that quarantine requirements are being followed, or follow contact tracing procedures.
• Questions regarding testing of all individuals at airports upon arrival, including refugees, should be referred to the Public Health Agency of Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency.

Supporting facts and figures

• As of October 29, 2020, 2,879 resettled refugees have landed in Canada since March 18, 2020.
  • PSRs:  1603 persons
  • GARs: 1262 persons
  • BVORs: 14 persons
• As of October 29, 2020, 40 resettled refugees have landed in Canada under the Urgent Protection Program since March 18, 2020.

• 2019 resettlement admissions:
  • 9,958 government-assisted refugees, 19,149 privately sponsored refugees, and 980 Blended Visa Office-Referred refugees were admitted to Canada. [Combined total: 30,087]

Background

Resumption of refugee resettlement

• In early March 2020, the Government of Canada implemented a number of temporary measures, including travel restrictions, to protect the health and safety of Canadians and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• On March 17, 2020, Canada’s primary overseas partners in administering refugee resettlement operations, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration, also announced the temporary suspension of resettlement activities for refugees.
• Exemptions to air travel restrictions were announced on March 21, 2020. Under these exemptions, only refugees abroad whose Canadian travel documents were provided on or before March 18, 2020; refugees who are in need of immediate protection; and refugees with immediate family members in Canada could potentially travel to Canada.
• Practical challenges such as limited international flights and ongoing travel restrictions globally continued to restrict Canada’s ability to resettle refugees, including individuals exempt from the air travel restrictions.
• On June 18, 2020, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration announced the resumption of resettlement departures.
• Since then, with the easing of global travel restrictions and the additional capacity of partners abroad, IRCC has begun resuming travel for some refugees. Canada has been able to resettle refugees out of most countries where IRCC and partner capacity as well as conditions, including in Canada, can support such movements.
• Canada has focused its efforts on resettling refugees exempt from Canada’s air travel restrictions, as well as cases in urgent need of protection.
• Partners continue to advise IRCC of locations where travel is possible, while the IOM is working to book travel ready cases that meet the exemption criteria on flights to Canada.
• Consultations are ongoing with resettlement delivery partners regarding the potential to open up travel for additional locations, and IRCC is working with corresponding migration offices abroad to ensure sufficient IRCC migration office capacity.
• Canada will also continue to consider on a case-by-case basis requests from the UNHCR to resettle refugees in urgent need of protection.
• Going forward, refugee resettlement will continue to increase both in numbers and locations as travel from more destinations becomes possible and the capacity of the overseas network increases.

Health coverage and pre-departure medical services

• The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary healthcare coverage to eligible beneficiaries, including resettled refugees. Prior to arrival, refugees being resettled to Canada are eligible for Interim Federal Health Program coverage of certain pre-departure medical services, including the cost of their Immigration Medical Examination, certain vaccinations, outbreak management services and medical support needed for safe travel.
• Pre-departure medical services are provided by the IOM to all travel-ready refugees destined to Canada. These include:
  • pre-embarkation health checks, including health screening for COVID-19 for signs and symptoms on the day of departure;
  • provision of non-medical masks and hand sanitizer;
  • COVID-related counselling and information;
  • COVID-19 testing ONLY IF it is an airline or country exit requirement; and
  • isolation/quarantine at the point of departure for those who meet defined criteria (e.g. display symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19 prior to departure).
• Once in Canada, refugees are eligible for basic health coverage (e.g. hospitals, physician services) until they transition to provincial/territorial health insurance (usually about three months after arrival in Canada). They also receive supplemental (e.g., urgent dental, limited vision care) and prescription drug coverage as long as they receive income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (or its equivalent in Quebec) or until they are no longer under private sponsorship (usually for about 12 months).

Health checks on arrival at the port of entry airport by Canadian officials

• To facilitate the port of entry procedures, IRCC provides a “Letter of Introduction” addressed to the Canada Border Services Agency officer through the IOM, which highlights the role of sponsors, and that sponsors understand they must have a suitable quarantine plan for all incoming clients.
• As with all other travellers, refugees arriving in Canada must undergo a health screening at the port of entry and present a credible quarantine plan when asked by a Border Services Officer or a Public Health Quarantine Officer.
• In addition, when entering Canada, all passengers are asked if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. They must acknowledge the requirement to quarantine or isolate for 14 days and they must confirm if they have a suitable place to isolate or quarantine with access to basic necessities. They must also confirm that they will not have contact with certain vulnerable groups of persons; and that they will not be in a group or community living arrangement.
• Officials may contact sponsors or Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations throughout the 14-day quarantine period to ensure that quarantine requirements are being followed or for contact tracing procedures.
• If a resettled refugee is symptomatic on arrival at the port of entry, the Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine officer will determine if the client needs to be quarantined at a Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine facility at the port of entry (or nearby), or if the client can continue to their final destination without using public transportation. The quarantine officer will ensure that the transport to the final destination is appropriate and that there is a suitable place for the newcomers to self-isolate for the 14-day period.

Resettlement Assistance Program services

• The Resettlement Assistance Program supports GARs and other eligible clients when they first arrive in Canada by providing direct financial support and funding the provision of immediate and essential services that respond to the complex needs that set them apart from other newcomers to Canada.
• In addition to income support, the Program funds are provided to service provider organizations in 34 communities across the country, except in Quebec, to fund the delivery of immediate and essential services to eligible clients. These services, generally delivered within four to six weeks of a client’s arrival in Canada, include:
  • Port of entry and reception services (e.g. provision of clothing for winter arrivals)
  • Temporary accommodation and help with locating permanent accommodation
  • Needs assessment and referrals to other settlement programs and community services
  • Information and orientation on financial matters as well as life skills
  • Links to mandatory federal and provincial programs (obtaining a Social Insurance Number and provincial health card, applying for the Canada Child Benefit, and registering children in school)
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Program service providers are operating at reduced capacity and have focused their efforts on meeting the critical needs of clients already in Canada. The Department is working to ensure ongoing critical resettlement and case management services for recent arrivals, and has provided guidance to these service provider organizations regarding services delivery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To support the resumption of GAR arrivals, the Government of Canada provided a supply of personal protective equipment (e.g. surgical masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, face shields, and isolation gown) for Resettlements Assistance Program service provider organizations. This equipment supports the delivery of in-person services to GARs upon their arrival and during their stays in temporary accommodations.

Resettlement partner funding - 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan

• [Redacted]
• This funding will support UNHCR in its identification and referral of over 10,000 refugees to Canada each year, an activity not currently funded by Canada, to ensure that Canada receives sufficient and timely refugee referrals to meet its resettlement targets. Funding is also needed to meet the ministerial mandate commitment to introduce a new refugee resettlement stream for up to 250 human rights advocates, journalists and humanitarian workers at risk each year.
• Additional funding is also needed for the IOM for its work to support the implementation of Canada’s Resettlement Program. Canada relies on the IOM to process refugees abroad (e.g. transport refugees to and from interviews with Canadian staff, arrange interpreters, and coordinate refugee travel to Canada).
• Finally, funding is sought for new investments in sponsor capacity which are required in order to enable sponsors to sponsor privately sponsored refugees and Blended Visa Office-Referred refugees at sufficient volumes in order to meet the annual admissions targets under these streams. This would include better and more accessible resources for sponsors, guidance and training, administrative and form-filling support, legal advice, support for peer-to-peer sponsor mentoring and more.

If pressed on white helmets

• Working with partners in the Middle East and Europe, Canada was able to help rescue several hundred individuals whose lives were at risk because of the Syrian army’s campaign to reclaim southern Syria. The White Helmets are courageous volunteers and first responders.
• Several different countries were identified as resettlement destinations for this group, based on a variety of factors. Canada was one of the principal resettlement destinations.
• We continue working with our international partners on the successful resettlement of those who have been evacuated from Syria.
• We cannot comment further to protect the safety of these individuals and their families, and for privacy reasons.