OTTAWA, November 4, 2003 -- The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), today announced the arrival of the first group of refugees selected to come to Canada through group processing. Two groups of refugees -- 30 Sudanese and 17 Somalis -- will arrive in Canada today from the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya."Canada has a long-standing humanitarian tradition and we are a country that values protecting refugees who are in genuine need," said Minister Coderre. "Identifying and implementing solutions is one of the benefits of our close partnership with international partners such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration. Group processing is an example of the kind of new solutions to real problems that we can come up with by working together."Group processing is an innovative approach to identifying refugees abroad and bringing them to Canada. Under this approach, Canada and the UNHCR identify entire refugee populations, as opposed to individuals, and resettle these populations in the same community.Both the Sudanese and Somali refugees, destined for Winnipeg and Hamilton respectively, were deemed vulnerable by CIC because they had been experiencing persecution in the camp for many years. In the next six to eight months, approximately 900 refugees will arrive in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Edmonton.Individuals will be resettled together in the same city so that they can maintain ties with friends and family members. Allowing them to remain with the groups that have developed over a period of years in the refugee camps will hopefully create the positive environment necessary to allow them to successfully integrate into various regions across the country.The refugees are being admitted under Canada's Refugee Resettlement and Humanitarian Program, which provides support for refugees through local settlement agencies. The agencies help the refugees find housing, language training and other social services. Funding for these organizations comes from the federal and provincial governments."Community organizations provide critical services to new refugees. Without them, we would not be able to bring refugees to Canada or help them find a future here," said Minister Coderre. "We are committed to finding effective and durable solutions to the successful settlement and integration of refugees from abroad."-30-For more information (media only):Sarah BainPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister(613) 954-1064Jean-Pierre MorinMedia RelationsCommunications Branch(613) 941-7712BACKGROUNDERRefugees identified through Group Processing Group processing is an innovative approach to identifying refugees abroad and bringing them to Canada. Under this approach, Canada and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identify entire refugee populations, as opposed to individuals, and resettle these populations in the same community.Normally, CIC officials abroad receive referrals of individuals identified as refugees by organizations such as the UNHCR. Once this referral is made, CIC officers determine if the individual meets Canada's eligibility requirements. If so, CIC then proceeds with the admissibility screening (medical and security) before issuing visas to come to Canada.Under group processing, the UNHCR identified two refugee populations as being in need of resettlement. Because of their unique circumstances, the groups also met the definition of "vulnerable," meaning they are exempt from the need to be individually assessed for their settlement potential. The populations agreed upon wereSudanese Christians who were declared vulnerable due to harassment by the majority Islamic population; andSomalis who were declared vulnerable due to harassment by the majority population of higher caste status.CIC officials used a rigorous process to verify identities, credibility and admissibility (security and criminality). Each individual also received medical screening before travel to Canada was approved.The groups of 30 Sudanese and 17 Somalis are the first groups to arrive in Canada after being selected and screened through the new method. In total, Canada will take in approximately 900 refugees. The Sudanese groups will be destined to Winnipeg and Edmonton, and the Somalis will go to Hamilton. All refugees are expected to arrive by the spring of 2004.Upon arrival in Canada, individuals will be resettled together in the same community so that they can maintain ties with friends and family members. Allowing them to remain with the groups that have developed over a period of years in the refugee camps will hopefully create the positive environment necessary to allow them to successfully integrate into various regions across the country.Partners include the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration, and the provinces, municipalities and service provider organizations involved in refugee settlement.
