canadian connection Michael Casasola, who is a UNHCR


resettlement officer in Ottawa says, “UNHCR looks for the most vulnerable people in a refugee camp or other situation, for example. Vulnerability is defined in terms of if they’re in danger in their own country of origin or in the country they’re currently seeking asylum in because of persecution; they could be a survivor of torture, or a woman at risk— women have particular


vulnerabilities


because of sexual violence for instance,” he explains.


Te UNHCR representative then


approaches the Canadian government representative in that country, who determines if the identified person meets Canadian government regulations for


entry. productive “We have relationship


a positive and with


the


Canadian government,” Casasola says. “Canada accepts 90 per cent of refugee cases presented by us.”


Te agency also works closely


with Canadian non-governmental organization representatives who can sponsor refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Tese include faith based, cultural and community organizations that help refugees start their new lives in Canada. Among other services, UNHCR offers training and information sessions for these organizations.


UNHCR can also assist people who


make their own way to Canada, applying for asylum through the in-land refugee determination system. Te UN Agency for Refugees also helps refugees already in Canada who want to bring their families over.


Regardless of their method of entry,


coming to Canada can be “a profound and difficult experience,” for most refugees, says Casasola. “Tere are moving stories of people who never owned a pair of shoes before, and arrive in Canada in winter,” he says. “Many


26 / UNHCR © UNHCR/ J. Bävman 2014


© UNHCR/ J. Bävman 2014


Syrians for example, weren’t thinking about resettlement and were hoping to go home. It’s difficult; they often don’t speak the language and are now under different expectations in their new country. You have to remember that not everybody is super-eager to resettle. It’s not that they’re not grateful, but they’ve lost so much.”


Canada’s goal is to put refugees on the


track to permanent residency, including language courses and employment training. “Our system always points to social inclusion and then citizenship,”


Casasola says. “In fact, refugees have


one of the highest uptakes of citizenship among newcomers.”


UNHCR generally has limited


contact with refugees once they arrive in Canada, acting more on a troubleshooting basis or if the refugee is hoping to bring over family members who are still in a foreign refugee camp. Resettlement and government agencies in Canada work hard to ensure that the transition experience is positive for newcomers. «


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28