Question Period Note: Refugee Resettlement During COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted the ability of Canada and other countries to protect refugees through resettlement.

• Canada has a proud and long-standing tradition of responding to the needs of vulnerable people.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, refugee resettlement to Canada continues to be limited by border restriction measures and global travel restrictions. Despite this, we continue to resettle vulnerable refugees who are in the most urgent need of protection.
• Canada continues to work with international partners to facilitate resettlement of refugees where conditions allow, including ensuring that refugees are prepared for their journey.
• Canada will continue to facilitate refugee resettlement as conditions permit and honour its international humanitarian commitments.

If pressed
• Before refugees travel, the Government works with Resettlement Assistance Program Service Provider Organizations and private sponsors to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to support newcomers upon arrival.
• Once they arrive in Canada, refugees are subject to the same quarantine and testing requirements as other air travellers. In recognition of the particular challenges facing resettled refugees, they receive assistance to meet the requirements from Government-funded service providers.
• For resettled refugees already in Canada, service provider organizations and private sponsors continue to deliver critical resettlement and settlement services. This includes income support and essential services for all resettled refugees, as well as counselling on COVID-19 measures.

• The Government of Canada has implemented a number of temporary measures, including travel restrictions, to protect the health and safety of Canadians and reduce the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in a limited number of resettlement movements for overseas refugees.

• Exemptions to air travel restrictions were announced on March 21, 2020. Although certain resettlement applicants are exempt from the travel ban, there are limitations on who can be resettled at this time, given conditions abroad and capacity constraints of partners in Canada which render travel very challenging. Conditions to facilitate departure vary by country, and departures may not be possible due to various factors, including, but not limited to, domestic movement restrictions, ability to obtain exit permits, ability to obtain a pre-departure COVID-19 test, and flight availability in some countries.

• IRCC is facilitating travel for government-assisted, blended visa office-referred and privately sponsored refugees exempt from Canada’s air travel restrictions.

• IRCC continues to issue National Interest Exemption letters to allow refugees in need of urgent protection to travel to Canada when necessary, while the air travel restrictions are in place.

• Canada will confirm sufficient support is available from Resettlement Assistance Program Service Provider Organizations and private sponsors prior to advising IOM to proceed with booking travel. This support includes assisting refugees in complying with the mandatory isolation or quarantine requirements set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

• All air travellers, including refugees, must pass a health screening before boarding their flights to Canada. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. All air passengers are required to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. As of January 7, 2021, air travellers 5 years of age or older are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding international flights bound for Canada. IRCC is working with the International Organization for Migration to assist refugees to meet this requirement.

• All travellers arriving in Canada must undergo another health screening at the port of entry and must have a suitable quarantine plan. Travellers with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days. Since February 22, 2021, air travelers are required to complete a COVID-19 test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport, and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

• Air travelers are also required to reserve a 3-night stay in a government-authorized hotel. For resettled refugees, the 3-night hotel stay is being managed and funded by IRCC through their service provider network at Ports of Entry in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto, and through the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) in Montreal. There is no cost to refugees for the COVID tests, or their 3-night hotel stay.

• Travellers who received negative COVID test results from the test conducted on arrival, may continue their travel to their final destination and must complete the applicable quarantine period.

• Canada Border Services Agency and Public Health Agency of Canada are collecting additional information from travellers upon arrival in Canada on their quarantine plans and contact information, to enable compliance and enforcement by PHAC, contact tracing, and to share information with Provinces and Territories.

• The capacity of service provider organizations and private sponsors to provide adequate support to refugees while respecting these and other Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial guidelines related to Covid-19 is a further constraint upon resettlement.

• IRCC is maintaining regular contact with service provider organizations and private sponsors in Canada to provide them with consistent information on federal policy responses to COVID-19, as well as raise their awareness of resources and tools that are available in multiple languages, and guidance on counselling newcomers on COVID-19 measures, including mandatory quarantine or isolation. The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program has regular COVID-19 updates on its website including RSTP services that are available virtually, as well as COVID-19 information in multiple languages.

• For resettled refugees already in Canada, service provider organizations and private sponsors will focus on delivering critical resettlement and settlement services until further notice. This includes income support, immediate and essential services, case management, including critical medical appointments and crisis counselling, and medical referrals and interpretation. Non-critical services may be provided by some organizations by telephone, email or online.

• Canada intends to uphold its international commitments, and will continue to facilitate refugee resettlement as conditions allow, which includes ensuring that there are appropriate measures in place to support the refugees upon arrival.

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