Canada is one of the most developed countries that embraced the issue of refugees and offered them shelter from hostility. Another critical aspect of Canada’s refugee support is based on the private sponsorships of refugees, which any group or person can undertake. This unique program is dominated by Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs). This article will, therefore, aim to provide a general insight into what SAHs are, what they do and their role in enhancing the resettlement of refugees within Canada.
Understanding Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs)
Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) are entities the Government of Canada has partnered with to sponsor refugees. These entities, which can be religious organizations, ethno-organizational companies, or other groups, play a pivotal role in the private sponsorship of refugees in Canada. Their primary responsibility is to guide and support refugees in their resettlement process, ensuring they find suitable places within Canadian society.
The Role of SAHs in Refugee Sponsorship
SAHs are responsible for various aspects of the refugee sponsorship process, broadly categorized into three main areas.
1. Sponsorship Coordination and Management
- Application Process: SAHs participate in negotiating the sponsorship of refugees and filing the sponsorship application with the IRCC.
- Monitoring and Support: After the refugees are in Canada, SAHs follow up with the clients and assist with any necessary and proper social reintegration.
2. Financial and Logistical Support
- Financial Assistance: Financial assistance should be granted to refugees during the sponsorship period, which ranges from three months to one year. This includes costs such as shelter, food, clothing, and transport.
- Settlement Services: SAHs work closely with local service delivery systems to assist them in providing settlement services such as language, employment, and education.
3. Community Integration
- Social Support: SAHs enable refugees to make friends in society, hence creating a support network that helps them feel comfortable in their new places.
- Cultural Orientation: SAHs impart Canadian cultural etiquette, Canadian law, and other norms to the refugees.
Responsibilities of SAHs
The responsibilities of SAHs are enormous, and they need to devote significant time to fulfilling what is expected of them. Key responsibilities include:
1. Ensuring Adequate Support
- The SAHs must guarantee that the sponsored refugees’ financial and emotional needs are met during the sponsorship program.
- This entails the provision of shelter, food, clothing, and even health and education.
2. Meeting Legal Obligations
- SAHs are bound to the sponsorship agreement with the Government of Canada, which they signed.
- This includes filing reports on the achievements of the sponsored refugees and confirming that all sponsorship exercises are conducted under Canadian laws.
3. Collaborating with Other Stakeholders
- SAHs work closely with other community organizations, relevant government departments, and service providers to ensure proper support of refugees.
- This collaboration must ensure the refugee can access all possible resources and services.
How Do You Attain the Status of ‘Sponsorship Agreement Holder’?
To become an SAH, a screening process needs to be completed. Before that, one has to adhere to the requirements provided by the Government of Canada. The process typically includes:
1. Application Submission
- The organization has to fill out an elaborate application to be presented to IRCC.
- This is precisely where the application should state the organization’s experience, resources, and commitment to refugees.
2. Assessment and Approval
- IRCC then evaluates the application and concludes that the organization is relevant for the designation of SAHs.
- This assessment involves evaluating the organization’s financial standing, capacity to support refugees, and previous history of refugee sponsorship or related activities.
3. Signing the Sponsorship Agreement
- After getting the approval, the organization enters into a sponsorship agreement with IRCC that includes the role and tasks the organization will undertake as an SAH.
- The annual allocation of refugees that the SAH may sponsor is also provided in the agreement.
Impact of SAHs on Resettlement of Refugees
Based on the findings, some of the essential roles that SAHs play in the refugees’ resettlement process in Canada include:
1. Increased Resettlement Capacity
- SAHs build up Canada’s capacity to resettle refugees by engaging the institutions of society.
- This means that more refugees can be resettled than can be done through government-assisted programmes.
2. Enhanced Integration Outcomes
- Among the benefits of specialized assistance, adapted social support makes refugees’ adaptation to Canadian realities easier.
- Thus, it would result in optimum employment, higher refugee participation within societies, and enhanced well-being among refugees.
3. Community Engagement and Awareness
- SAHs are essential in enhancing awareness of the matters affecting refugees in their society.
- By coordinating local sponsorship activities, SAHs create social inclusion and share responsibility with refugees.
Challenges Faced by SAHs
Despite their critical role, SAHs face several challenges:
1. Resource Constraints
- Delivering effective services to refugees is not cheap; it consumes a lot of money and manpower.
- SAHs must constantly apply for funds to meet their requirements and get volunteers to help.
2. Complexity of the Sponsorship Process
- Sponsorship is a process which is accompanied by numerous legal and bureaucratic procedures.
- SAHs should continuously be aware of policy changes and comply with the guidelines.
3. Meeting Diverse Needs
- SAHs must be aware that refugees come from different cultural backgrounds and that their needs will vary.
- SAHs have to be ready to face different problems, including communicational ones or, for instance, those connected to the manifestation of trauma.
Conclusion
Sponsorship Agreement Holders are the primary stakeholders who make Canada’s private refugee sponsorship possible. They make efforts and work to stabilize the lives of refugees in Canada. In summary, the responsibilities of assisting refugees and joining or supporting a SAH are pretty demanding. Their work creates a massive difference in the lives of refugees and targets Canadian communities. When people know how SAHs operate, they will be able to fathom the significance of the tasks performed by SAHs and the impact they have on refugees. Suppose you or your organization is willing to become an SAH. In that case, one has to think about the dedication required and the opportunities to change the lives of asylum seekers in Canada.
Read more: What to Do If Your PR Card Expires While Outside Canada?
