Citizenship and Immigration committee  Again, the privately sponsored refugees don't want to be a burden. If we can provide them with a proper working situation, they will be completely satisfied. They will be off the program and they will not be a burden on anyone.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  As I said earlier, encourage more corporations to come in and especially try to open channels with landlords in various cities and give incentives to landlords so that they bring some kind of special arrangement for these refugees to help them move in.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We are discussing this today because, of course, we want to discuss the shortfalls, to tweak the program and make it the best system available and to make this program a model for the rest of the world. There are positive signs, but there are also some shortfalls in the program.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I personally haven't heard about any kind of suggestion to extend that one-year timeline. Coming back to the issue of housing, we are addressing two different problems. Our experience in Toronto has been that it is difficult and unaffordable for the refugees, but the privately s

Citizenship and Immigration committee  We are facing that language problem also in Toronto. It's a catch-22 situation, especially with the privately sponsored refugees. From the first day they arrive, the privately sponsored refugees want to start working in order to support their families. They don't want to be a bur

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Housing is a serious problem. We discussed it earlier. I should mention that unfortunately some landlords in Toronto are gouging refugees. We had cases where the landlord asked the refugee to pay one year's advance rent. Even though this is against the law, they are asking. Ther

Citizenship and Immigration committee  This is a very serious issue. We have to address this issue according to the two programs that we have right now, the government-sponsored one and the privately sponsored program. Most of the government-sponsored refugees who came have large families, and it is true that they are

Citizenship and Immigration committee  To be honest with you, your observation is correct. Unfortunately, there are some bigoted people in our society, but not all Canadians are bigoted. I've had so many positive experiences with Canadians. It is true that there were some instances of people being taken advantage of,

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think the federal and provincial governments can create a joint task force to address this issue. I think it is very doable.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes. There is a very disturbing trend whereby some of our officers are politicizing the interview process. The line of questioning is very disturbing.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Okay. I will skip and go to the recommendations. For employment counselling, people should be able to register in as many places as they want. The government should provide refugees with subsidized housing.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, it is true that every newcomer to Canada will face difficulties, and the refugees are no exception, but we have to realize that these refugees have gone through a very difficult four and a half to five years. All of them suffer from trauma, and when they arrive, they need a

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to appear at this hearing and relay to you our experience in Toronto. In the last eight months, the Levant Settlement Centre has been involved 24/7 with the settlement of refugees, in addition to sometimes matching sponsors with r