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:
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:
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 resourcesPeel 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:
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
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:Mississauga151 City Centre Dr, Suite 600 Mississauga, ON L5B 1M7 [ map ] Tel: 905-361-2522 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 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 680 Novo Star Drive Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7 [ map ] Tel: 905-696-6980 3038 Hurontario St, Suite 206 Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 [ map ] Tel: 905-275-2369 2555 Dixie Road, Unit 7 Mississauga, ON L4Y 4C4 [ map ] Tel: 905-602-4082 3540 Morning Star Drive Mississauga, ON L4T 1Y2 [ map ] Tel: 905-677-6270 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 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 2227 South Millway, Suite 202 Mississauga, ON L5L 3R6 [ map ] Tel: 905-455-6789 4180 Duke of York Blvd Mississauga, ON L5B 0G5 [ map ] Tel: 905-845-9430 7205 Goreway Drive, Unit 75 Mississauga ON L4T 2T9 [ map ] Tel: 905-677-9599 Brampton44 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 2 Wellington Street West Brampton, ON L6Y 4R2 [ map ] Tel: 905.874.2000 10 Gillingham Dr, Suite 300 Brampton, ON L6X 5A5 [ map ] Tel: 905-459-8855 300 Great Lakes Drive Brampton, ON L6R 2W7 [ map ] Tel: 905-799-2558 4 Sir Lou Dr., Suite 104 Brampton, ON L6Y 4J7 [ map ] Tel: 647-549-5785 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 134 Queen St. E Brampton, ON L6V 1B2 [ map ] Tel: 905-863-1118 36 Queen Street East, Goodison Building - Lower Level Brampton, ON L6V 1A2 [ map ] Tel: 905-455-6789 7899 McLaughlin Rd Brampton, ON L6Y 5H9 [ map ] Tel: 905-459-7533 Ext. 8101 20 Union Street Brampton, ON, L6V 1R2 [ map ] Tel: 905-451-9622 40 Finchgate Boulevard, Suite 224 Brampton On L6T 3J1 [ map ] Tel: 905-451-6959 |
Contact Us
Peel District School Board (We Welcome the World Centres)
5650 Hurontario Street, Mississuaga, ON L5R 1C6