Canada Announces Pilot Program To Aid Gay Refugees; Immigration Department Partnering With Rainbow Refugee Committee

Time ahead of an almost certain federal election, and hinted at almost a year ago, Conservative Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced Thursday the creation of a pilot project to aid refugees fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation. "We are very pleased to be working with the Rainbow Refugee Committee to help refugees who are in need of protection, particularly those who are persecuted because of their sexual orientation," said Minister Kenney. "By partnering with this organization and allowing Canadians to play a part in refugee protection, the private sponsorship program showcases grassroots support for this country's international commitment to humanitarian action." Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will work with the Rainbow Refugee Committee to share the cost of sponsoring a refugee, the Department providing up to $100,000 in assistance to support this initiative. This contribution will be in the form of three months of income support for each refugee sponsored. The Rainbow Refugee Committee will also provide the refugees with orientation services, accommodations, basic household needs, basic food staples, clothing and ongoing food needs for the duration of the sponsorship period. "These funds are a welcome first step in response to the crisis facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people around the globe, at a time when seventy-seven countries continue to criminalize homosexuality and five prescribe the death penalty," said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale Canada, Canada's national LGBT human rights organization. "The Rainbow Refugee Committee provides critical support to asylum seekers fleeing homophobic and transphobic persecution in their countries of origin." As part of this agreement, the Rainbow Refugee Committee is expected to encourage other organizations to work with them in the sponsorship of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered refugees. "Encouraging private sponsors to come forward is vital to refugees in need of protection and to the future of the private sponsorship program," said Kenney. "Canada has a proud tradition of opening its doors to people from around the world and providing a safe haven to those in need of protection. The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program plays a significant role in the resettlement of refugees from across the globe."