Refugee Claimants in Alberta
Abstract
The backgrounder on referral in Alberta’s settlement and integration sector provides insights into the challenges faced by the referral system and offers suggestions for improvement. The document draws on interviews with agencies and identifies three categories of suggestions that could benefit referral processes: fostering information availability and dialogue between agencies, standardizing tools and processes, and building relationships. The backgrounder also highlights issues related to confidentiality in referral processes and the variation in how agencies approach this. Suggestions for sharing informational resources and the need for a directory of services are also discussed. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance existing processes, tools, and relationships in the short-term.
Notes
Community organizations: AAISA
Future research / gaps identified: n/a
Key findings:
- While a claim is being processed, refugee claimants have limited access to services such as education, social assistance, emergency housing, health, and legal aid.
- The inability to access basic services violates human rights and creates unnecessary hardship and trauma.
- The persistent lack of funding has negatively affected both service providing organizations and refugee claimants.
- AAISA asserts that all refugee claimants should receive immediate and consistent services and supports, regardless of what stage of the claim processing or hearing they are in.
Key populations: Refugee claimants in Alberta.
Key recommendations:
- Federal government: Release disaggregated data; implement improvements and changes to the Immigrant and Refugee Board (IRB) claims review process and eligibility; automatically grant permanent residency to refugee claimants with successful hearings.
- Alberta government: Increase capacity, accessibility and funding for social services relating to employment, health, justice, seniors, housing and education.
- Municipal governments: Develop a coordinated municipal system; increase staff awareness of the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS); ensure access to essential services for undocumented peoples.
- Media: Ensure reporting captures the nuances and accuracy of refugee claimant experiences and the IRB processes.
- AAISA: Re-establish the Refugee Claimant Response Committee.
Open access: Yes
Integration timeline: While the refugee claim is being processed in awaiting for the hearing.
Location: Alberta
