Refugees
Our mission includes advocating for refugees and bridging them with permanent resettlement solutions in Canada
Canada remains committed to continuing their humanitarian tradition of resettling refugees through its refugee protection system and its resettlement programs, offering a
save-haven to:
People with a well-founded fear of persecution, and
People who are outside of their country and cannot return because of that fear of persecution
Concern for the plight of refugees and asylum seekers is very much the heartbeat of Bridge True North Immigration Services. Many years ago we were introduced to and became involved with the Hong-Kong based refugee charity Branches of Hope (formerly Vine Community Services Ltd). Responding to the great number of asylum seekers and refugees seeking permanent solutions outside of Hong Kong, we delved into Canadian immigration law and programs concerning refugee resettlement.
Since then we have grasped the initiative of assisting nearly fifteen refugees apply for permanent residence in Canada. Fighting for the protection and freedom of these groups is a cause we will always be dedicated to and we invite you to partner with us in this good fight.
There are approximately 13,000 people in Hong Kong who are seeking protection from torture in other countries and are desperately seeking resettlement elsewhere because Hong Kong is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
Hong Kong has, however, signed the UN Convention Against Torture which prohibits the deportation of claimants to countries where they might face torture. Protection claimants in Hong Kong are permitted to stay while their claims are being processed but during this time, which usually takes many years, they are not granted the right to leave or work. Unable to earn a living, they are given government subsidies which are insufficient for living in one of the world’s most expensive cities, resulting in these claimants living below the poverty line.
Branches of Hope, through their ROAD program serves over 600 of them by providing direct assistance during their time in Hong Kong and equipping them to become self-reliant wherever they may resettle. While they may have found a temporarily safe place in Hong Kong, they are far from being fully free. Be the bridge to a hopeful future for these refugee and asylum seekers by becoming a sponsor.
Get Involved!
Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees program (PSR) presents opportunities to offer hope to refugees and asylum seekers. Sponsors make an impact that completely transforms lives.
They extend the privileges of rights and freedoms they enjoy to refugees who have been denied their own, and welcome them to a new home where they are free from the fear of persecution. The PSR allows different groups the ability to sponsor.
In each group, the sponsorship undertaking includes providing emotional, social and income support for the full sponsorship undertaking period, usually one year. It is extremely rewarding for both sponsor and refugee.
Groups who may sponsor
1
Group of Five (G5)
Five or more eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents may sponsor refugees abroad who are already recognized by either UNHCR or a foreign state
2
Community Sponsors
Organizations, associations or corporations within Canada may sponsor refugees abroad who are already recognized by either UNHCR or a foreign state.
3
Sponsorship Agreement Holders - (SAH)
Organizations (usually religious, ethnic, community or humanitarian) who have signed sponsorship agreements or their constituent groups (CGs) or “co-sponsors” may sponsor both recognized refugees and asylum seekers abroad. Asylum seekers are those who claim to be a refugee but whose claim is still pending the evaluation to be granted refugee status, such as the thousands of claimants in Hong Kong.
How We Help
Our mission includes advocating for refugees and bridging them with sponsors willing to support their need for resettlement in Canada. With our knowledge, expertise and desire to help, we offer charitable services to help navigate the process, in hopes of encouraging more sponsors to step forward:
+ Sponsorship Overview - Info Session
Complimentary meeting with potential sponsors to:
⌓ Introduce and explain all sponsorship programs, defining sponsor responsibilities
⌓ Assess sponsor eligibility
⌓ Outline all steps required for application preparation and submission
+ Sponsor-Refugee Matching
Complimentary service initiating and developing the sponsor-refugee relationship that offers to:
⌓ Identify sponsor’s criteria for refugee applicant (ie. financial considerations and family size, community offerings and ethnicity, etc)
⌓ Assess refugee candidates according to sponsor criteria
⌓ Provide a short-list of eligible refugees/asylum seeker profiles for sponsor’s selection
⌓ Arrange virtual meet and greet between sponsor and refugee
Additional Services available *
⌓ Full Representation (handling the whole application process for sponsor and refugee)
⌓ File Review (review application forms for errors or omission before submission)
*Fees apply
