Trends in Refugee Settlement in Alberta: Understanding how global and national contexts impact settlement in Alberta Marisa Berry Méndez, CCR Settlement Policy Director Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017

Today’s presentation Global refugee context Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Today’s presentation Global refugee context Global Resettlement situation Canadian and Alberta context Refugee claimants Resettlement Refugee campaign

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 37 countries admitted 189,300 refugees (less than 0.1% of global refugee population)

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 New crises emerging… 582,000 Rohingya refugees estimated to have fled to Bangladesh since August 25, 2017 UN estimate as of 17 October 2017

Global Resettlement In 2016, 37 countries admitted 189,300 refugees Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Global Resettlement In 2016, 37 countries admitted 189,300 refugees USA admitted 96,900 (51%) Canada admitted 46,700 (25%) Australia admitted 27,600 (15%) These 3 countries resettlement 90% of refugees

Among those resettled: Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Among those resettled: 33% Syria 12% Democratic Republic of Congo 8% Iraq 6% Somalia 4 nationalities make up 59% of total

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 2018 Resettlement Needs Global resettlement needs are estimated by UNHCR at 1.2 million persons from 63 countries Places available for 2018: 93,000 (43% decrease from places available in 2017) Give context especially of US decrease allotted spaces.

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Focus on Africa Sub-Saharan Africa has a need of 510,000, but only 18,000 places are available. Emergencies: Central African Republic, South Sudan Protracted situations: Congolese, Somali and Eritrean refugees All according to UNHCR Concerns around lack of resettlement spaces, and impact especially in certain regions. Part of why number is low is because of preferences and requests from receiving countries – would be great if receiving countries would just take anyone! Say something here about Operation Syria? E.g. that when numbers are increased for one population, this increase shouldn’t cost spaces for those from other places.

Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR) Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR) Held in June, in Geneva CCR coordinates Canadian NGO Focal Point Key themes highlighted by CCR: Equity (especially Africa) Additionality Confronting racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia Our main opportunity to give input at the global level is through ATCR. Canadian government and NGOs participate. NGOs make a statement and contribute to discussion. CCR inputs into the statement and makes suggestions for agenda ADDITIONALITY: Privately sponsored refugees are over and above the refugees resettled by the government (Government Assisted Refugees). Canadians want to know that their government is fulfilling its responsibility, on behalf of all Canadians, to protect refugees through resettlement, and that any refugees they sponsor are additional to those resettled by the government.

Key current themes at ATCR Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Key current themes at ATCR Expanding resettlement opportunities (but US pulling back) Complementary Pathways Want to get more countries to do resettlement, or countries to give more spaces. Complementary pathways - looking for solutions other than resettlement (intended to be IN ADDITION, not instead of resettlement). At CCR for example we are asking if education could be an alternative pathway. An international organization, Talent Beyond Boundaries, is looking at skilled worker opportunities, including in Canada. They are hoping to match refugees with jobs they have the right skills for.

Canadian context Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Expanding resettlement and establishing complementary pathways for better protection and solutions for refugees.

Refugee Levels 2017 Protected Persons in Canada and Dependants Abroad Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Refugee Levels 2017 Protected Persons in Canada and Dependants Abroad 15,000 Resettled Refugees 25,000 Government-Assisted 7,500 Blended Visa Office-Referred 1,500 Privately Sponsored 16,000 Total 40,000 Top line is for accepted refugee claimants – will be looking for it to increase in 2018 to make room for increased numbers of claimants Resettled refugees – overall numbers are obviously down from 2016 (big Syrian movement) but somewhat up from 2015 levels. Disappointment was with 7,500 GARs – which has been the lowest number we have seen for many years.

Refugee Claims Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Numbers fluctuate - in 2001 was higher than this year so far. Numbers in Alberta are relatively low compared to some other provinces like Ontario and Quebec, However since the IRB is starved for resources and getting a hearing could take longer than it is supposed to, secondary migration of refugee claimants awaiting their hearings may become an issue. As long as claimants aren’t eligible for federally-funded settlement services, this is something the province might want to consider stepping up for. Mention practical resources for members which include webinar and print resource (upcoming) on what front-line workers need to know about working with refugee claimants (also: citizenship, criminality implications on immigration status, age of dependents, and family reunification)

Resettlement, Jan 2015 - Aug 2017 BVOR GAR PSR Total Calgary 160 1,735 Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Resettlement, Jan 2015 - Aug 2017 BVOR GAR PSR Total Calgary 160 1,735 3,305 5,205 Edmonton 190 2,255 2,185 4,630 Lethbridge 10 415 60 485 Red Deer 330 45 380 Medicine Hat 265 -- 275 Brooks 5 85 30 125 Wood Buffalo - 65 Grande Prairie 25 Other 75 110 200 480 5,090 5,825 11,390 Open Data statistics, Canada - Admissions of Resettled Refugees by Province/Territory and Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) of Intended Destination and Immigration Category, January 2015 - August 2017 http://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/4a1b260a-7ac4-4985-80a0-603bfe4aec11

Resettlement: long delays Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Resettlement: long delays In 2017 and 2018, resettled refugees more likely to have waited long time for processing Example processing out of Ethiopia GAR: 43 months PSR: 74 months In both PSR and GARs there were people whose applications were maybe set aside while Syrians were being processed. End 2016, there were 6,400 PSR applications that had been waiting 3 years or more. Processing times are from IRCC website, current times (which refer to arrivals over the past 12 months).

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Family reunification Including: One year window + dependants of refugees Long delays, long processing times Difference in priority for economic immigrants vs. for refugees CCR case management for separated children As all those involved in newcomer settlement know, family reunification is virtually a requirement for settlement – it is very difficult for newcomers to settle and integrate here if they are separated from their family members. Separation can cause a lot of anxiety, and has mental health consequences, but also other related consequences such as labour market integration impacts. Government has committed to 6 months for processing of family members of economic immigrants – so this is possible, but refugee family reunification is not prioritized in the same way, and delays of many years are common. Separated children: CCR has a longstanding agreement with IRCC that CCR can identify these cases to IRCC for expediting.

Transportation Loans 94% of GARs, 88% of PSRs received loans Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Transportation Loans 94% of GARs, 88% of PSRs received loans Understanding is limited Repaying the loan is difficult Many refugees must quit language learning or other school to work to repay their loan Remain an important barrier to settlement for GARs and PSRs Refugees have to pay back travel costs and cost of immigration medical exam plus interest. Government’s own evaluation showed that it had a negative impact on refugees, including reducing access to settlement services. Understanding: visa offices spend 1-5 minutes explaining the loan to recipients, and research shows that only 56% of refugees understood they had to start paying back the loan within 30 days after arrival. Impact on settlement – many must take an entry level job to work to pay back loan, and don’t have time for language learning or other education and training programs to help them get better jobs, also almost 50% couldn’t avail themselves of integration services because they were working.

Transportation Loans: changes Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Transportation Loans: changes As of April 2017, IFH covers Immigration Medical Exam as well as medical escorts (if required). Government has published PROPOSED changes to: eliminate the interest; defer the loan repayment start date from 30 days to one year; extend the repayment period for loans by two years. NB we do not know when these changes might take effect.

CCR vision: Refugee campaign Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 CCR vision: Refugee campaign Objectives for Canada’s leadership: Resettle 20,000 government-assisted refugees annually. Introduce special measures to process the privately sponsored refugee (PSR) backlog by 2018, to open the door to increased refugee sponsorships by Canadians. Make reforms to the refugee determination system so that it is fair and efficient. GARs: Need to do more in context of global refugee crisis Capacity is there – talking to members across the country (including many in the room) it became clear that operation Syria showed us that the capacity is there, and that the folks in the settlement sector think it’s a shame that they’re losing all this capacity with the downfall in numbers PSRs – mention additionality Waiting to see what upcoming immigration levels will look like (but 2017 numbers represented a significant decrease. Claimants – the current concern is around IRCC’s review of the IRB, calling into question the importance of having an independent quasi-judicial body processing and hearing claims. So our position is that the IRB must continue its work, and be better resourced to do so.

Campaign focus Two levels: Public opinion Government decision-makers Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Campaign focus Two levels: Public opinion Government decision-makers Public support: Welcoming attitudes towards refugees in all categories among Canadians, also creating a context in which government feels there is the support necessary to increase numbers of refugees. Policy advocacy: Canadian government adopts recommendations for resettled refugees and reforms to the refugee determination system Focusing on positive messages.

Public opinion polling Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Public opinion polling We want the public opinion aspect of the campaign to focus on reaching out to the “indifferent middle”, since we don’t need to preach to the converted, and those who are opposed to refugees may be a lot less susceptible to our messaging. Arguments on humanitarian considerations are most powerful We need to address economic concerns We’ll be producing a package of materials with templates that can be used to profile local and individual stories, since these stories – the human face – is what has the most impact. Members and allies can take up these tools for their welcoming communities work.

Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Campaign roll-out Detailed package of tools and guidance in time for Fall Consultation Building on contributions of individuals in the community Asking members to carry out focus groups CCR hopes you will participate!

Thank you! Contact: Marisa Berry Méndez mberrymendez@ccrweb.ca Alberta Integration Summit, October 30 2017 Thank you! Contact: Marisa Berry Méndez mberrymendez@ccrweb.ca