Refugees
Refugees and Protected Persons
Canada is a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees adopted by the United Nations. Canada’s refugee system adheres to the definition of a refugee as defined in Article 1 of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. That is, a Convention Refugee is someone who is outside of their home country and is unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on the following:
- Political Opinion
- Nationality
- Race
- Religion
- Social Group
A successful refugee claim must be made on the basis of one of the five grounds noted above. The claim must be found eligible based on several factors including alienage, a well-founded fear, existence of persecution, and location of refugee (must be outside their country in order to be eligible).
In general, world affairs and political/social circumstances leading to persecutions are well documented and can be corroborated. It is important that an applicant refugee work with an experienced and licensed consultant so that all of the relevant information is clearly and accurately presented to the deciding officers, and that the refugee is competently represented through the process.
Canada’s refugee system is divided into 3 main parts as follows:
- Refugee claims made in Canada
- Resettlement from outside of Canada
- Sponsorship of Refugees (Private Sponsorship & Joint Assistance Sponsorship)
Each part has its own requirements but all require that the claimant meet the definition of a Protected Person or Refugee.
Canada’s system also allows for the protection of persons in need of protection, other than those defined as Convention Refugees. A Protected Person can be defined as someone who has been determined by Canada to be either a Convention Refugee or A person in need of protection (i.e. a person who is in a refugee-like situation defined in Canadian Law).
For more information on the Refugee Application process, Representation and Appeals, Contact our offices and speak with our trained consultants to assist. As with all immigration applications, it is important to accurately present information, in a timely manner and meet the various deadlines to meet during an application.