Government Assisted Refugees:Employability and Integration

Edmond T Cheng, Liza Wajong and Mia NissenSaturday, July 20, 2013

Agenda

• Background

• Issues and Gaps

• Recommendations

• Wrap-up

Background

Unemployment Rate of GARsin Canada

GARS Canada0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

– Leads and coordinates action to protect refugees

– Definition of refugee

– Canada as a signatory to the UNHCR

– Definition of Government Assisted Refugees (GAR)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Canada and GARs

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

Service Provider Organizations (SPO)

– Definition of integration• Mutual, dynamic, multifaceted and an on-going process

– Linked to achievement in a number of domains• Employment, housing, and social services

– Measurable domains• Employment, language, education, health and housing

Integration

Unemployment higher than provincial average

English language skills are beginner or not at all

Housing is often unsuitable

Poverty and income assistance

Current Situation of GARs in BC

Higher levels of employment

Employment Skills Development

Educational Opportunities

Social Connectedness

Holistic & Multi-Faceted Approach

Issues & Gaps

– English language services for adults (ELSA)

– Computer skills and access to labour market

– Resume, cover letter and interview skills

– Social integration

Barriers to Employability

– RAP services: • health care programs and assistance with locating housing• opening bank accounts and overview of financial products

– RAP support time

– Income support• Using food banks (57%)• Difficulties in repaying CIC transportation loan (61%)

RAP Flexibility & Service Delivery and Income Support

– Transportation loan coverage and amount• Loan covers medication examinations abroad• Travel documents and transportation to Canada• Loan can be up to $10,000 CAD

– Expected to start repaying after six months

– Cycle of poverty

Transportation Loan Repayment

Gowah• Gowah and her six children arrived in

Canada in November 2006 from Liberia

• Transportation loan was over $8,600 and expected to pay $125/mth. ($1,500/year)

• GAR’s avg. yearly income is approx. $19,000 (after tax)

• Avg. yearly living wage income is approx. $29,500 (after tax)

Poverty Cycle

Recommendations

– SPO should be provided with funding flexibility

– Implementation of case management approach

– RAP service should be extended to 12 months

– Transition from RAP income support to social assistance

RAP Delivery & Flexibilityand Income Support

– Elimination of the interest on these loans

– Extension of the grace period before repayment

– Enable GARs to be in a stronger position to pay off transportation loan

Zero Interest Transportation Loan

– Mobilizing community volunteers • Integration is a two-way process• Engage them with their surrounding community

– Engaging GARs with neigbourhood house services• Pre-employment and neighbourhood-based language

training programs

– Promote community engagement activities • (i.e. The Bridge Brochure)

Community Support

The Bridge Brochure

– Definition of social enterprise• A business with a social purpose

– Engaging social enterprise is suitable for GARs• Socially conscious and empowers GARs• I.E. Common Thread

– Tends to have a clear established structure• Will not be too overwhelming for those involved

Social Enterprise Initiatives

Conclusion and Further Research

Questions