Question 1

By Refugee Claimant do you mean the Ukrainian and Afghan refugees who have arrived in Canada in the last few years?

Accepted Answer

No. Those types of refugees are under the category of GAR (Government Assisted Refugees). Unlike GAR's, Refugee Claimants do not get support with travel, setting up their first home in Canada, immediate access to work, health care, kids school enrolment etc.

Question 2

What is unique about Refugee Claimants?

Accepted Answer

1. They flee to Canada on their own and receive no government supports upon arrival. 
2. They can only claim asylum from inside Canada which is a difficult and stressful process. 
3. They must participate in a legal hearing where they prove in front of an IRB (Immigration Refugee Board of Canada) Member that a) their lives were in imminent danger of death or persecution and b) there was nowhere else in their country they could live and be safe. 
4. They are often retraumatized upon arrival in Canada because: a) many end up in shelters in Vancouver and men are often separated from women; b) they have to re-write and re-tell their traumatic story for their hearing; c) the immigration process is difficult and stressful to navigate; d) they live in limbo, afraid they will be sent back to their country of origin and face death, torture, or persecution. 
5. Most Refugee Claimants arrive with their immediate family members and will not sponsor more family members to come to Canada later. This contributes to extreme homesickness and loneliness.

Question 3

Why should Canadians support Refugee Claimants?

Accepted Answer

Many Canadian-born citizens have ancestors who fled to Canada as refugees seeking asylum. We are obligated to help others who cannot trust their own country to protect them.

Question 4

What kind of government support does Inasmuch receive?

Accepted Answer

Inasmuch receives some funding towards the salary of a settlement worker, settlement support, and housing search coordinator. This comprises less than one-fourth of our annual operating budget. We depend on generous donors to help cover costs like rent, utilities and other expenses to provide transitional housing.

Question 5

Can Refugee Claimants ever go back to their country of origin?

Accepted Answer

Most Refugee Claimants will never return home even after receiving their Canadian Citizenship because they fear it will always be unsafe.

Question 6

What does Inasmuch mean?

Accepted Answer

The word Inasmuch comes from an older version of the Bible called the King James Version (KJV). In Matthew 25:40, Jesus is speaking about practicing kindness to those in need. He says: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

We interpret this to mean that Christian believers show love for God by loving others.

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