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.

Refugee claimant 

A 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.

If you are a convention refugee or a refugee claimant, you can receive services free of charge to help you live, learn and work in Peel, or with your immigration process. To find where you can receive assistance, see the full list of Settlement Agencies that can help.

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.

You also can learn more about Refugee Programs on the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Programs and services for refugees

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.

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.

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

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

Indus Community Services

3038 Hurontario St, Suite 206

Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 [ map ]

Tel: 905-275-2369

Newcomer Centre of Peel

165 Dundas St W, Suite 116

Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6 [ map ]

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

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

Sheridan College

4180 Duke of York Blvd

Mississauga, ON L5B 0G5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-845-9430

Brampton

ACCES Employment

44 Peel Centre Dr, Suite 201

Brampton, ON L6T 4B5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-454-2316

Brampton Multicultural Community Centre

197 County Court Blvd., Suite 303

Brampton, ON L6W 4P6 [ map ]

Tel: 905-790-8482

COSTI Employment Services

10 Gillingham Dr, Suite 300

Brampton, ON L6X 5A5 [ map ]

Tel: 905-459-8855

Punjabi Community Health Services

50 Sunny Meadow Blvd., Unit 201

Brampton, ON L6R 0Y7 [ map ]

Tel: 905-677-0889

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

Health related resources:

Interim Federal Health Program - information sheet from IRCC (formerly CIC) for newly arriving Syrian refugees and sponsors

Refugee Health Line1-866-286-4770 - 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.

For more information visit Government of Canada refugee services.

Contact Us

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada


Peel District School Board (We Welcome the World Centres)

5650 Hurontario Street, Mississuaga, ON L5R 1C6