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Abstract

Over its history, the private sponsorship program has been an important vehicle for Canada and Canadians in their response to refugees. It has been a flexible tool able to respond to both small and large-scale resettlement needs. The result is that thousands of refugees have found a durable solution in Canada. This article chronicles the evolution of this program. It argues that while the program is driven by the interest of Canadians to assist particular refugees, it is still in keeping with the international objectives of increasing and diversifying resettlement. It identifies a number of the challenges that program faces. Ultimately, it urges that the program be given greater attention and study so as to ensure that it is able to continue to provide additional refugees with a durable solution.

Résumé

Depuis ses débuts, le programme de parrainage privé a constitué un moyen important par lequel le Canada et les Canadiens peuvent venir en aide aux réfugiés. Il s'est avéré un outil souple permettant de répondre aux besoins en réétablissement à petite et à grande échelle qu'avaient des milliers de réfugiés ayant trouvé des solutions durables au Canada. Dans cet article, on trace l'évolution de ce programme en faisant valoir que, même si le programme est motivé par l'intérêt qu'ont les Canadiens de venir en aide à certains réfugiés en particulier, il fonctionne néanmoins conformément aux objectifs internationaux visant l'augmentation et la diversification du réétablissement. On y distingue nombre des défis que le programme doit affronter. Finalement, on recommande vivement que le programme fase l'objet d'une étude approfondie pour s'assurer qu'il soit en mesure de continuer à offrir à davantage de réfugiés des solutions durables.

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Refugee Sponsorship Training Program

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

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Treviranus, B., Casasola, M. Canada’s private sponsorship of refugees program: A practitioners perspective of its past and future. Int. Migration & Integration 4, 177–202 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1032-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1032-0

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