Sometimes it takes a colossal tragedy like the Haiti earthquake for some Canadians to realize the turmoil and devastation that is suffered around the world. We see these images on the television and realize how truly lucky we are to live in Canada. There are countries unprotected by corrupt governments, destroyed by natural disasters and suffering from wars and bombs.
Often it’s easy to go online and donate to a charity, or to call that 1-800 number on the TV and sponsor a child, saying and feeling like you did your part to help. But, what if you could do more? What if you wanted to do more?
Did you know that, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), there were just under 10.5 million refugees around the world in 2009. A refugee is someone who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. Simply put, these people must flee their country to save their lives or preserve their freedoms – basic fundamental rights that we Canadians enjoy freely – because of something they believe in or were born with.
Thankfully, there is a way to help these vulnerable people. Citizenship and Immigration Canada recognizes our duty as a free nation with a strong multicultural community and allows ordinary citizens like you and me to help sponsor a refugee to Canada. The program is called “Group of Five.” Basically, five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor a refugee to Canada. The group is expected to act as guarantors and provide the necessary support financially for 12 months to help the refugee settle in their community. It’s a big commitment, as the group is expected to provide some support financially for one year, but the reward and fulfilment of knowing you ultimately have changed the life of one person or family is like no other.
My family came here as refugees after the Vietnam War. From 1975-1980, Canadian communities and individuals opened their hearts and homes to help bring over many of the 55,000 displaced Vietnamese, coined “boat people”, to start new lives in Canada. The gratitude I feel for these Canadians is boundless.
If you would like more information about sponsoring a refugee, please contact Open Door Immigration Services.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My brothers and i filled an application to sponsor our sister and her children through imigration canada (group of five)or as they say it G5 it has been 9 months now and we do not know what to do if any body know what we can do please let us know the life of our sister and her children is in danger
If you have a Client ID, you can check online at http://www.cic.gc.ca to see if there is any change in status. If not, visit your local MP (Member of Parliament). He should be able to send an inquiry on your behalf to the visa office to check on your application. Good luck!
Dear sir or Madame,
we are a couple with one baby boy in need of being sponsored to canada. we`ve got our client ID number with CIC which advise us to find a Sponsoring group of Five to finalize our demand. Would you mind helping us Please ? our client ID is: . Please for God`s sake,help us. we would like also to receive your documentation at:
We look forward to hearing from you soon. Great thanks !
Hi,, I am ( along with other relatives) trying to sponser my brother by group of five, what i wanna know is there any people who can help me fill up the application and can it be any 5 people or the have to be through certain agency or institution?
Thanks for your message. There may be non-profit agencies willing to help you fill out the forms. Check with local settlement agencies for more information to see if they can help you. The five people must be 18 years and older and Canadian citizens or permanent residents. They also need to be living in the one community where the sponsored brother will be living. Thanks.
Please do not post confidential information like your client ID on these posts as everyone can view them.
Unfortunately we cannot help you find someone to sponsor you. Your best thing to do is check with local authorities to see how they can help you. Thanks.