February 8, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – The community of Sydney has come forward as an early adopter of a process that was formally announced last week.The Government of Canada has been working with provinces and territories to establish criteria for communities wishing to become welcoming communities for government-assisted refugees (GARs).
Communities outside the traditional network of cities and towns that welcome GARs have been invited to develop a Community Partnership Settlement Plan, which will help prepare them to welcome these refugees.
Sydney will develop its plan in cooperation with the provincial government of Nova Scotia. The plan will demonstrate that they have the necessary services in their communities to help refugees settle and integrate in their new home town. The plan will be assessed by the government of Nova Scotia, and submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The process, which was announced on February 5, 2016, will be open to other communities outside the province of Quebec (which is responsible for its own refugee resettlement program). For more information visit Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion.
Quotes
“I have heard from small towns across this country that they are open and willing to receive government-assisted refugees. I am pleased that Sydney will be among the first to show that they are ready, and I look forward to including other communities from across the country to the list of communities ready to welcome refugees.”
Hon. John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“We have been working with the community of Sydney for some time as they prepare to welcome refugees. I am very pleased that the federal government is recognizing their efforts and what they can offer new Canadians.”
Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Nova Scotia
Quick facts
- Communities that wish to welcome government-assisted refugees must have, among other things, a broad set of settlement services, available permanent housing and employment, and established partnerships with stakeholders.
- The application process will open in the coming weeks and be available on IRCC’s website.
- Federal funding is not available to communities/municipalities for the development or implementation of their plans. IRCC will, however, consider funding to settlement service provider organizations beginning in 2016-2017 if plans specifically identify activities and increased demand.
Related products
- News Release – Communities across Canada invited to apply to show how they can welcome and support Government-Assisted Refugees
- Backgrounder – Community Partnership Settlement Plan criteria
Associated links
- #WelcomeRefugees for all the latest videos, photos and stories
- Latest numbers
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Photos of Minister McCallum available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/index.asp
Contacts
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
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