The United Nations defines a refugee as a person “who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reason of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social groups, or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality, and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him or herself of the protection of that country.”
The Canadian Immigration Act of 1976 established refugees as a class distinct from immigrants. Canada offers resettlement to thousands of government sponsored refugees. The international community assists refugees in finding lasting or durable solutions to refugee situations. The three durable solutions are: (a) repatriation, (b) local integration into the asylum country, or (c) third country resettlement.
The private sponsorship of refugees began in 1980. The Diocese of Rupert’s Land is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Canada.
All Sponsorship Agreement Holders attend a monthly meeting with representatives of the Manitoba government, Canada Immigration and Manitoba Interfaith and Immigration. They are also welcome to attend monthly meetings held by Manitoba Interfaith and Immigration.
The Diocesan Refugee Coordinator also attends the Hospitality House Board meetings and issues a signed letter of approval on behalf of the Diocese for all sponsorships submitted to Citizenship and Immigration.
Crossed Hands Refugee Committee – A Partnership
Useful Links and Contacts