October 21, 2010

Northern Albertans know that our country is the best place to live in the world and we pride ourselves in giving a helping hand to those who need it. For many asylum seekers arriving from war-torn countries around the globe, Canada is a safe haven from danger, violence and all other hardships they may have faced in their home countries.

Our refugee system to bring help to those who really need it is facing a dilemma. Refugees who have faced persecution in their home countries and who need real help are often stuck waiting in long lines, while bogus asylum seekers who are abusing the system are getting through the back door. Right now, on average, it takes 19 months for claims to even be heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Our Government’s fair and balanced reforms will remove bogus refugee claimants from Canada to allow us to treat real claims faster and more efficiently, reducing wait times and saving the tax dollars of Canadians.

Victims of persecution will receive a fast and fair decision within two months of filing their original claim. On the other hand, bogus asylum seekers would be removed more quickly from Canada.

I have received letters of concern because there is a mistaken belief that refugees receive more financial assistance than our seniors’ pensions each month. I’d like to clarify that issue.

In 2004, there was an article in the Toronto Star followed by a letter to the editor, which caused some confusion as to the amounts received by refugees and seniors.
 
The editorial points out that the original e-mailer of the letter mistakenly assumed that refugees received $2,470 a month. (That is, the e-mailer wrongly added a onetime payment of $1,890 to $580 in monthly social assistance).

In correcting this reader’s error, the editorial points out that $1,890 which refugees receive as a "start-up allowance" - including a $580 monthly social assistance cheque from Ottawa - was a one-time payment for basic household needs such as furnishings, pots and linens.”

Since the Toronto Star story and subsequent editorial ran in 2004, I have included some current information on federal assistance for refugees and seniors as well:

"Government-assisted newcomers may be eligible for support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. To be entitled, individuals must be selected to come to Canada as a government-assisted refugee under [certain] categories…. They must be determined as having insufficient funds to meet their basic needs – i.e., food, rent, clothing and household needs – and must also commit to either directly enter the work force or enrol in employment or language training programs. Eligible newcomers are generally provided assistance for a maximum of 12 months. However, up to 24 months may be authorized for special-needs cases that have been assessed abroad."

Refugees are given a one-time start-up payment, and then monthly payments based on social assistance rates in the province where the refugee is located:

"Under the program, the food and shelter portion of the income support money is guided by the maximum prevailing social assistance rates within the province or territory of residence. In Ontario, for example, a single person would receive about $520-$580 per month. With the additional start-up one-time payment, a first month’s cheque for a single person could be as high as $1,890. Of course, a government-assisted refugee is not eligible to receive provincial social assistance benefits while receiving RAP income support."

Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).
http://lpintrabp.parl.gc.ca/lopimages2/prbpubs/inbrief1000/prb0439-e.asp