A refugee is a person who is forced to leave their home country for fear of persecution.

Convention refugee

A convention refugee is a person that is outside of their country of origin and have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. They have been given permission by the Immigration and Refugee Board to stay in Canada.

Asylum claimant / Refugee claimant

An asylum claimant / refugee claimant is a person that has applied for refugee status while in Canada and is waiting for the Immigration and Refugee Board to determine whether refugee status should be given.

Canada offers refugee protection to some people in Canada who fear persecution or who would be in danger if they had to leave. Some dangers they may face include:

  • torture
  • risk to their life
  • risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment

If you feel you could face one of these risks if you go back to your home country or the country where you normally live, you may be able to seek protection in Canada as a refugee.

Learn about the process for claiming refugee status from inside Canada at this link: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website.

My Refugee Claim is a guide for people making refugee claims in Canada. It will help you:

  • learn about Canada’s refugee protection process
  • stay connected to people who can help
  • be prepared every step of the way.

Many settlement agencies provide support to asylum / refugee claimants, please see the full list of Settlement Agencies to contact them to learn about their supports and services to help.

Other useful resources

Peel Region provides information on supporting asylum claimants in Peel region.

The Government of Canada offers information on what asylum seekers need to know.

Programs and services for refugees

Adult learning: English as a second language is a program for immigrants and refugees looking to improve their English.

Adult learning: French as a second language is a program for immigrants and refugees looking to improve their French.

Adult learning: Ontario Bridge Training Program is for skilled immigrants and refugees looking to continue their career in Canada.

FCJ Refugee Centre serves refugees and others at risk due to their immigration status, and welcomes anyone asking for advice, counsel and support regarding these issues. 

The FCJ Refugee Centre's main programs are as follows:

HMC Connections helps newcomers and refugees to settle and integrate into a welcoming and inclusive community.

Peel Region is assisting all refugee claimants in settling into the community, whether it is for a short period or an extended stay. If you have questions or need more information about how Peel Region can support you, please call them at 1-888-919-7800 or send an email to info@peelregion.ca.

Pre Arrival Canada offers specialized pre-arrival refugee programs designed to assist refugees and their families in preparing for life and work in Canada. 

Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is a program designed to support the Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) of Canada, their Constituent Groups, Groups of Five and Community Sponsors on a national level (excl. Quebec). Here you can find information on how to complete IRCC refugee sponsorship forms.

Safety Net Children and Youth Services carries a variety of clothing to assist the entire family unit. Families can access the clothing bank every season, by appointment.

Settlement.org provides information on the refugee process and services available for refugees.

Steps to Justice offers general legal information about refugee law in Ontario.

Virtual Newcomer Information Centre is designed for convention refugees and permanent residents to assist them with their transition to new life in Canada.

The Virtual Newcomer Information Centre offers:

  • Online one-to-one counselling sessions provided by Employment and Information Specialists
  • Orientation to the job market and Canadian workplace culture
  • Assistance with resume preparation
  • Information& Referral services on education, training, housing, government programs, legal and social services, health care services, citizenship and more
  • Online workshops and information sessions related to topics such as; Canadian workplace culture, resume & cover letter, interview skills, job search strategies, Canadian tax system and more.

211 is a freely accessible helpline, available online and by phone around the clock, every day, and in over 150 languages. It can help individuals find community and government services within the Greater Toronto area.

For more information visit Government of Canada refugee services.

Health related resources:

Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits to people in the following groups who aren’t eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance

  • protected persons, including resettled refugees;
  • refugee claimants; and
  • certain other groups.

Refugee Health Line - 1-866-286-4770 - you can call this number to find a health service provider who can help with initial medical assessments and referrals to other health services. This is not an emergency or crisis line.

The Health Network for Uninsured Clients (HNUC) offers information on a range of healthcare services accessible to individuals without insurance, regardless of their insurance or immigration status.

Settlement.org provides information on mental health services for refugees. 

Organizations Provide Refugee Services:

Mississauga

ACCES Employment

151 City Centre Dr, Suite 600

Mississauga, ON L5B 1M7 [ map ]

Tel: 905-361-2522

Afghan Women's Organization

3050 Confederation Parkway, Unit 302

Mississauga, ON L5B 3Z6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-279-3679

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture

130 Dundas St E, Suite 204

Mississauga, ON L5A 3V8 [ map ]

Tel: 905-277-2288

Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS)

3660 Hurontario St 7th floor

Mississauga, ON L5B 3C4 [ map ]

Tel: 905-273-4176 

Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS)

4557 Hurontario St unit b11

Mississauga, ON L4Z 3M1 [ map ]

Tel: 905-272-1703

Centre francophone du Grand Toronto

3660 Hurontario Street, Suite 601

Mississauga, ON L5B3C4 [ map ]

Tel: 437-317-5648

Child Welfare Immigration Centre of  Excellence 

25 Capston Drive

Mississauga, ON L5W 0H3 [ map ]

Tel: 905-363-6131

COSTI Employment Services

6750 Winston Churchill Blvd, Unit 8A

Mississauga, ON L5N 4C4 [ map ]

Tel: 905-567-0482

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Services Centre

3650 Dixie Rd, Unit 103

Mississauga, ON L4Y 3V9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-629-1873

Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board: Newcomer Reception and Assessment Centre- St. Veronica Elementary School

680 Novo Star Drive

Mississauga, ON  L5W 1C7 [ map ]

Tel: 905-696-6980

Indus Community Services

3038 Hurontario St, Suite 206

Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-275-2369

LAMP Community Health Centre

2555 Dixie Road, Unit 7

Mississauga, ON L4Y 4C4 [ map ]

Tel: 905-602-4082

Malton Neighbourhood Services

3540 Morning Star Drive

Mississauga, ON L4T 1Y2 [ map ]

Tel: 905-677-6270

Newcomer Centre of Peel

165 Dundas St W, Suite 116

Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-306 0577, 905-306-1275

Peel Career Assessment Services 

975 Meyerside Drive

Mississauga, ON L5T 1P9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-670-1967

Peel District School Board (We Welcome the World Centres)

5650 Hurontario Street

Mississuaga, ON L5R 1C6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-890-1010 Ext 2437

Peel Multicultural Council

6630 Turner Valley Rd

Mississauga, ON L5N 2P1 [ map ]

Tel: 905-819-1144

Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services

Mississauga South West

2225 Erin Mills Parkway, Lower Level

Mississauga, ON L5K 1T9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-403-8860

Punjabi Community Health Services

2980 Drew Rd, Unit 241

Mississauga, ON L4T 0A7 [map]

Tel: 905-677-0889

Roots Community Services

2227 South Millway, Suite 202

Mississauga, ON L5L 3R6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-455-6789

Sheridan College

4180 Duke of York Blvd

Mississauga, ON L5B 0G5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-845-9430

WellFort

7205 Goreway Drive, Unit 75

Mississauga ON L4T 2T9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-677-9599

Brampton

ACCES Employment

44 Peel Centre Dr, Suite 201

Brampton, ON L6T 4B5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-454-2316

Bethel Outreach Community Services

215-338 Queen Street E, 

Brampton, ON, L6V 1C4 [ map ]

Tel: 905-226-5484

Brampton Multicultural Community Centre

197 County Court Blvd., Suite 303

Brampton, ON L6W 4P6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-790-8482

Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS)

164 Queen St E suite 306

Brampton, ON L6V 1B4 [ map ]

Tel: 905-457-7740 

City of Brampton

2 Wellington Street West

Brampton, ON L6Y 4R2 [ map ]

Tel: 905.874.2000

COSTI Employment Services

10 Gillingham Dr, Suite 300

Brampton, ON L6X 5A5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-459-8855

Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board: Newcomer Reception and Assessment Centre- St. Isaac Jogues School

300 Great Lakes Drive

Brampton, ON  L6R 2W7 [ map ]

Tel: 905-799-2558

Family Education Centre

4 Sir Lou Dr., Suite 104

Brampton, ON L6Y 4J7 [ map ]

Tel: 647-549-5785

Knights Table

287 Glidden Road, Unit 4

Brampton ON L6W 1H9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-454-8725

Moyo Health and Community Services

7700 Hurontario St, Unit 60

Brampton ON, L6Y 4M3 [ map ]

Tel: 905-361-0523

Punjabi Community Health Services

50 Sunny Meadow Blvd., Unit 201

Brampton, ON L6R 0Y7 [ map ]

Tel: 905-677-0889

REST Centres

134 Queen St. E

Brampton, ON L6V 1B2 [ map ]

Tel: 905-863-1118

Roots Community Services

36 Queen Street East, Goodison Building - Lower Level

Brampton, ON L6V 1A2 [ map ]

Tel: 905-455-6789

Sheridan College

7899 McLaughlin Rd

Brampton, ON L6Y 5H9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-459-7533 Ext. 8101

YMCA of Greater Toronto

20 Union Street

Brampton, ON, L6V 1R2 [ map ]

Tel: 905-451-9622

WellFort

40 Finchgate Boulevard, Suite 224

Brampton On L6T 3J1 [ map ]

Tel: 905-451-6959

 

 

Contact Us

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada


Peel District School Board (We Welcome the World Centres)

5650 Hurontario Street, Mississuaga, ON L5R 1C6