Equally Public and Private Refugee Resettlement: The Historical Development of Canada’s Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40941

Keywords:

Joint Assistance Sponsorship, resettlement, private sponsorship, disabilities, Canada, history, Kosovars, Yazidis, Women at Risk

Abstract

For over 40 years, Canada’s Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program has combined government financial assistance, professional settlement services, and private sponsor settlement support for refugees identified as having “special needs.” With high public and private involvement, the program offers another potential model for sponsorship, yet existing knowledge about the program is limited. This article explores the historical development of the program, highlighting three time periods: 1979–1981, when it launched; 1998–2001, when it welcomed thousands of Kosovars and expanded as selection criteria prioritized vulnerability; and 2014–2019, as it increasingly competed with other sponsorship programs.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Rachel McNally, Carleton University

Rachel McNally is a PhD student at Carleton University. She can be reached at rachelmcnally@cmail.carleton.ca.

References

Abu-Laban, B., Derwing, T. M., Mulder, M., & Northcott, H. (2001). Lessons learned: An evaluation of northern Alberta’s experience with Kosovar refugees. Prairie Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Integration. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328581202_Lessons_Learned_An_Evaluation_of_Northern_Alberta's_Experience_with_Kosovar_Refugees

Allies for Refugee Integration. (2021). Intentional connections for welcoming communities: Improving settlement for privately sponsored refugees in Ontario through settlement–sponsor collaboration. Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. https://ocasi.org/sites/default/files/ari-final-report-2021-intentional-connections_0.pdf

Bond, J., & Kwadrans, A. (2019). Resettling refugees through community sponsorship: A revolutionary operational approach built on traditional legal infrastructure. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 35(2), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.7202/1064822ar

Cameron, G. (2020). Reluctant partnership: A political history of private sponsorship in Canada (1947–1980). In S. Labman & G. Cameron (Eds.), Strangers to neighbours: Refugee sponsorship in context (pp. 19–41). McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Cameron, G. (2021). Send them here: Religion, politics, and refugee resettlement in North America. McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Canadian Council for Refugees. (1997, November). The ability to refer refugees for consideration under the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program, resolution no. 7. https://ccrweb.ca/en/res/ability-refer-refugees-consideration-under-joint-assistance-sponsorship-program

Canadian Council for Refugees. (2007). Comments on private sponsorship of refugees evaluation. https://ccrweb.ca/files/psrevalcomments.pdf

Canadian Council for Refugees. (2018). Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program CCR positions, February 2018. http://ccrweb.ca/sites/ccrweb.ca/files/bvor-feb-2018-positions.pdf

Casasola, M. (2016). The Indochinese refugee movement and the subsequent evolution of UNHCR and Canadian resettlement selection policies and practices. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 32(2), 41–53. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40270

Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) & Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS). (2001, November). A report on the settlement experiences of Kosovar Refugees in Ontario. York University. https://yorkspace.library.yorku.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10315/2673/Lawrence%20Lam%20-%20A%20Report%20on%20the%20Settlement%20Experiences%20of%20Kosovar%20Refugees%20in%20Ontario.pdf?sequence=1

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). (1998). Building on a strong foundation for the 21st century: New directions for immigration and refugee policy and legislation (No. Ci51-86/1998). https://publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.695621&sl=0

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). (1999a, March). Canada’s program for women at risk. https://web.archive.org/web/19991130211524/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugee/women-e.html

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). (1999b, April 30). Fast track processing for Kosovo refugees. https://web.archive.org/web/20000818094147/http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals/english/om-web/1999/op/op99-07.html

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). (1999c, May 10). Appeal to Canadians to sponsor the Kosovar refugees. https://web.archive.org/web/20000818080330/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/press/99/9924-pre.html

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). (1999d, June 18). The Canadian refugee system: Refugee selection overseas. https://web.archive.org/web/20000203190434/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugee/ref2-e.html

Dajani, D. (2021). Refuge under austerity: The UK’s refugee settlement schemes and the multiplying practices of bordering. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 44(1), 58–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2020.1715453

Department of Employment and Immigration. (1979–1989). Department of Employment and Immigration fonds, RG76-B-1-d, volume 1832, file 8630-6 “Refugees and displaced persons—Sponsorship—General—Joint assistance.” Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

Department of Employment and Immigration. (1989–1995). Department of Employment and Immigration fonds, RG76-B-1-d, volume 2009, file 8630-6 “Refugees and displaced persons—Sponsorship—General—Joint assistance.” Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

Derwing, T. M., & Mulder, M. (2003). The Kosovar sponsoring experience in Northern Alberta. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 4(2), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1034-y

El Shafie, M. (2016). Resettling Syrian refugees in Canada. One Free World International. https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/CIMM/Brief/BR8394438/br-external/OneFreeWorldInternational-e.pdf

European Resettlement Network. (2017). Private sponsorship in Europe: Expanding complementary pathways for refugee resettlement. http://www.resettlement.eu/sites/icmc/files/ERN%2B%20Private%20Sponsorship%20in%20Europe%20-%20Expanding%20complementary%20pathways%20for%20refugee%20resettlement.pdf

Fowler, N., Redwood-Campbell, L., Molinaro, E., Howard, M., Kaczorowski, J., Jafarpour, M., & Robinson, S. (2005). The 1999 international emergency humanitarian evacuation of the Kosovars to Canada: A qualitative study of service providers’ perspectives at the international, national and local levels. International Journal for Equity in Health, 4, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-4-1

Garnier, A. (2018). Resettled refugees and work in Canada and Quebec: Humanitarianism and the challenge of mainstream socioeconomic participation. In A. Garnier, L. L. Jubilut, & K. B. Sandvik (Eds.), Refugee resettlement: Power, politics, and humanitarian governance (pp. 118–138). Berghahn.

Government of Canada. (2022). Immigration and refugee protection regulations (SOR/2002-227). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/index.html

Hirsch, A. L., Hoang, K., & Vogl, A. (2019). Australia’s private refugee sponsorship program: Creating complementary pathways or privatising humanitarianism? Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 35(2), 110–123. https://doi.org/10.7202/1064823ar

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2011). In Canada processing of convention refugees abroad and members of the humanitarian protected persons abroad classes: Part 4 (Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program). https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/resources/manuals/ip/ip03-part4-eng.pdf

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2016). Evaluation of the resettlement programs (GAR, PSR, BVOR and RAP). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/reports-statistics/evaluations/resettlement-programs.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2017a, January 12). Resettling vulnerable victims of Daesh: Response to October 25, 2016, House of Commons motion. IRCC Ministerial Briefings [Access to Information request (#A-2016-44605)].

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2017b, February 21). Helping vulnerable Yazidi women and children and other survivors of Daesh. Government of Canada Newsroom. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2017/02/helping_vulnerableyazidiwomenandchildrenandothersurvivorsofdaesh.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2017c, March 31). Refugee sponsorship application: Joint Assistance Sponsorship (IMM 5493). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5493-refugee-sponsorship-application-joint-assistance-sponsorship.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2017d, November 1). Notice—Supplementary information 2018–2020 immigration levels plan. Government of Canada Newsroom. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2018.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2017e, December 6). Immigration Operational Bulletin 646 (modified) (Operational Bulletins). Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/bulletins-2017/646.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2018). 2017–18 departmental results report. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/departmental-performance-reports/2018.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2020a, February 10). Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS program) (REF-OVS-2-4). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/resettlement/government-assisted/joint-assistance.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2020b, August 24). Canada: A history of refuge. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/history.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2020c, August 26). JAS statistics from 2014 to 2019 [Custom statistics report (CR-20-0447, OPP-DART-2020-9603)].

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2020d, December 7). Gender-based analysis plus. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/departmental-performance-reports/2020/gender-based-analysis-plus.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (2020e). 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration. https:// www.canada.ca/en/immigration- refugees- citizenship/cor porate/publications- manuals/annual- report- parliament- i mmigration- 2020.html

Kaga, M., Nakache, D., Anderson, M., Crépeau, F., Delisle, A., Fraser, N., Frenyó, E., Purkey, A., Soennecken, D., & Tanotra, R. (2021, July 28). Vulnerability in the Canadian protection regime: Research report on the policy framework (VULNER research report no. 1). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.5525795

Korntheuer, A., Hynie, M., Kleist, M., Farooqui, S., Lutter, E., & Westphal, M. (2021). Inclusive resettlement? Integration pathways of resettled refugees with disabilities in Germany and Canada. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 3, Article 668264. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2021.668264

Labman, S. (2019). Crossing law’s border: Canada’s refugee resettlement program. UBC Press.

Labman, S. (2020). Conclusion: Sponsorship’s success and sustainability? In S. Labman & G. Cameron (Eds.), Strangers to neighbours: Refugee sponsorship in context (pp. 303–317). McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Labman, S., & Pearlman, M. (2018). Blending, bargaining, and burden-sharing: Canada’s resettlement programs. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 19, 439–449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-018-0555-3

McNally, R. (2020). The Blended Visa Office-Referred Program: Perspectives and experiences from rural Nova Scotia. In S. Labman & G. Cameron (Eds.), Strangers to neighbours: Refugee sponsorship in context (pp. 134–151). McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Molloy, M. J., Duschinsky, P., Jensen, K. F., & Shalka, R. J. (2017). Running on empty: Canada and the Indochinese refugees, 1975–1980. McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Molloy, M. J., & Madokoro, L. (2017). Effecting change: Civil servants and refugee policy in 1970s Canada. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 33(1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40448

Morris, S., Lenard, P. T., & Haugen, S. (2021). Refugee sponsorship and family reunification. Journal of Refugee Studies, 34(1), 130–148. https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaa062

Oliver, M. (2013). The social model of disability: Thirty years on. Disability & Society, 28(7), 1024–1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2013.818773

Pearlman, M. (2020). Operation Ezra: A new way forward. In S. Labman & G. Cameron (Eds.), Strangers to neighbours: Refugee sponsorship in context. McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Rose, D., & Rose, G. (2017). Report on the challenges of the Yazidi refugees. Mozuud Freedom Foundation. https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/CIMM/Brief/BR9299182/br-external/MozuudRSVP-e.pdf

Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP). (2021). RSTP bulletins. https://www.rstp.ca/en/bulletins/

Sherrell, K., & Hyndman, J. (2005). Sharing the wealth, spreading the “burden”? The settlement of Kosovar refugees in smaller British Columbia cities. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 37(3), 76–96.

Sherrell, K., & Hyndman, J. (2006). Global minds, local bodies: Kosovar transnational connections beyond British Columbia. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 23(1), 16–26. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.21339

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. (2016). Evidence: Immigration measures for the protection of vulnerable groups (No. 26, CIMM 42-1). House of Commons of Canada. https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/CIMM/meeting-26/evidence

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. (2017). Evidence: Briefing on resettlement issues telated to Yezidi women and girls (CIMM–88). House of Commons Canada. https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/CIMM/meeting-88/evidence#Int-9820056

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. (2018). Road to recovery: Resettlement issues of Yazidi women and children in Canada (No. 18, CIMM 42-1). House of Commons Canada. https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/CIMM/report-18/

Treviranus, B., & Casasola, M. (2003). Canada’s private sponsorship of refugees program: A practitioners perspective of its past and future. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 4(2), 177–202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1032-0

Turtiainen, K., & Sapir, H. (2021). Feasibility study on the potential of community-based sponsorship in Finland. Työ-ja elinkeinoministeriö. https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/163177

UNHCR. (2011). UNHCR resettlement handbook (rev. ed.). https://www.unhcr.org/46f7c0ee2.html

UNHCR. (2022). 2023 projected global resettlement needs. https://www.unhcr.org/publications/brochures/62b18e714/2023-projected-global-resettlement-needs.html

UNHCR Canada. (2001, June 7). CR5 cases summary total by mission. UNHCR Canada Archives, Ottawa, Ontario.

Published

2023-03-24

How to Cite

McNally, R. (2023). Equally Public and Private Refugee Resettlement: The Historical Development of Canada’s Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 39(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40941

Similar Articles

<< < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.