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Oakville's Guide on how you can support Syrian Refugees

Syrian boys, whose family fled their home in Idlib, walk to their tent, at a camp for displaced Syrians, in the village of Atmeh, Syria, | FreedomHouse via Foter.com  -  CC BY
Syrian boys, whose family fled their home in Idlib, walk to their tent, at a camp for displaced Syrians, in the village of Atmeh, Syria, | FreedomHouse via Foter.com - CC BY

The federal government is working with Canadian organizations, private sponsors and all levels of government to help Syrian refugees resettle in Canada.

Of the first wave of refugees, 10,000 by year end, the majority will be privately sponsored and settled and cared for by their sponsors. In Ontario, those accessing the federally-funded Refugee Assistance Program agencies will be located in six urban centres: Toronto (serving the Greater Toronto Area including Peel, York and Durham Regions), Ottawa, London, Windsor, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo. An additional 15,000 refugees are expected to come to Canada by the end of February 2016.

The Town of Oakville will support the federal government’s refugee plan in any way possible and will share information on what we can all do to help welcome Syrians to Canada.

How can you help?

  1. Canadian Red Cross
  2. Faith organizations
  3. Many of the faith communities across Halton are organizing their efforts to sponsor families. Connect with your local place of worship (i.e., church, mosque, synagogue, temple, etc.) to find out how you can help.
  4. Government of Canada, Welcome Refugees: Provides up-to-date information on the welcoming of Syrian refugees to Canada.
  5. Government of Ontario, Syrian Refugees: Provides detailed information and numerous links on how people can help.
  6. Halton Multicultural Council: Offers a special line of donations to support refugees in Halton. One hundred per cent of donations will be dedicated to supporting the Interfaith Community Initiative.
  7. Halton Region: Syrian Refugee Supports
  8. For information about Halton Region’s services such as emergency housing, financial assistance, public health services, and low-income supports dial 311. You can also dial 311 to ask about funding and support efforts to help Syrian refugees who are seeking asylum from the conflict in Syria.
  9. Interfaith Council of Halton is working to bring a Syrian family of seven to Halton.
  10. Lifeline Syria Toronto: Seeks to help local organizations sponsor 1,000 Syrian refugees and bring them to the GTA in the next two years.
  11. Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
  12. UNICEF Canada
  13. WorldVision Canada

Please note that there are sponsorship scams. Do your due diligence before providing any group with funds.

Special Information for People Seeking Refugee Status in Canada

Don’t trust or believe anyone who asks you to pay for a sponsorship. Under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, sponsors are responsible for assisting refugees with financial and settlement assistance. You do not have to pay for a private sponsorship. In addition, you do not have to prepay or repay your sponsors for care, lodging (housing) or settlement assistance.

Canada’s immigration programs are based on fairness. No one can promise your application will be given special treatment or guarantee that it will be approved.

If your permanent resident status was obtained as a result of fraud, the Government of Canada may conduct an investigation and may revoke your permanent resident status.


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