REFUGEES ******** SAFE HAVEN CANADA'S RESPONSIBILITY This pamphlet is produced by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, with the assistance of the Toronto Refugee Affairs Council (TRAC). Introduction Settlement Services A Place to Live Furniture, Food and Supplies Legal Representation Counselling Immigration Medicals Child Tax Benefit Educational Equivalency Schools Welfare (Social Assistance) Medical and Dental Care Working Where to Get Free Help and Information Introduction: ************* Refugess: Flight from persecution "My wife and I fled Ethiopia on foot, travelling at night, hiding during the day. We almost died after crossing the Sudan border in the fighting between Northern and Southern Sudanese soldiers. We survived in Khartoum for three years, but things were very bad. Canada was our only chance."-M.S. now a permanent resident of Canada Like many other countries, Canada accpets the United Nations definition of "Convention refugee" and uses this definition to decide whether someone should be accepted as a refugee in Canada and allowed to stay here. Convention refugees are men, women, and children with good reason to fear persecution in their home country. Because of their race, religion, gender, nationality, political viewpoint, or membership in a particular social group, they consider their lives to possibly be in danger. If they are lucky enough to escape from their home country, they cannot return to it in absolute safety. The difference between refugees and other immigrants is the difference between necessity and choice. Refugees do not CHOOSE to leave their countries; they must. They flee not to live better lives, but simply to live. And until things change where they came from, they, unlike non-refugees, must stay away. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees estimates that there are 20 million refugees living outside their country of origin, as well as 25 to 30 million people still in their home country but forced from their community or region. Close to 50 million people, in other words, have fled their homes, ususally because of war, civil strife, or government and military violence. Many have left behind everything they cared about, their homes, their businesses, their loved ones. For women and girls, who make up more than half the world's refugers, the situation can be especially difficult. Many leave their home country because of persecution only to confront new and equally serious risks. Many who are mothers must protect both themselves and their children from physical abuse and terrible poverty. For refugees who succeed in reaching another country - by avoiding police, soldiers, and the people who prey on refugees in flight - the goal is to find a place to build a new and prosperous life. The vast majority of refugees escape into neighbouring countries. Many of these countries are themselves unsafe and poor, and refugees often end up spending years in camps or leading rootless lives without status or security. Faced with a desperate future, the goal of many is to seek refugee status in a safe, developed nation that shelters people feeing terror, persecution, poverty, and hopelessness. A nation, in short, that has signed the U.N.'s Geneva Convention for the protection of refugees, and that takes action to fulfill its conditions. Canada is one of those nations and accepts refugees by two routes. The first is through overseas selection, including both government and private sponsorship. Through this process, Canadian visa officers assess applicants abroad and decide whether they meet the definition of Convention refugee and can adapt to life in Canada. If the visa officer's decision is positive, they may be sponsored to Canada by the Canadian government or by private sponsors, such as ethnocultural groups, church organizations and small groups of sympathetic individuals. The difficulty is that most refugees have no access to the few Canadian visa officers abroad. Refugees in camps or remote areas may not even know they exist. To make matters worse, Canada has has not been doing its duty in actively pursuing these people and assisting them to immigrate to Canada. Applicants can also make a refugee claim at a Canadian border or airport, or from within the country. If Canada agrees to consider their claim, they can remain here until the refugee determination process decides whether they are legitimate Convention refugees. If successful, they can apply for permanent resident (landed immigrant) status. If not, they must leave Canada. Last year, Canada accepted slightly more than half the claims made. It isn't easy to reach Canada as a refugee claimant. Not only is it expensive, but there are barriers to travel. Many refugees must flee their home without identity or travel documents. As a result, some are not allowed to board flights to Canada. This is clearly discrimination. Or they get into trouble by travelling with false documents. Like other signatories to the Geneva Convention, Canada recognizes that this many be necessary, and that these people should not be penalized. In practice, however, they often are. Also, Canada, does not have enough refugees on the government Immigration and Refugee Board to properly and fairly represent their own interests. Travelling to Canada may be difficult, but many refugees are forced to make a claim in Canada rather than wait for the unlikely miracle of overseas selection. Contrary to popular myth, this is not "queue jumping" but an accepted and completely legal way for refugees to find a safe haven. Developing countries, the world's poorest nations, support the great majority of refugees, while most of the developed world is closing its borders. For most refugees, the prospect of permanent asylum in a safe country is increasing remote. And, as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees observes, this can be traced in part to the reluctance of affluent nations to accept their moral proportionate responsibility. Partly because it is harder for undocumented refugees to reach our borders, and the federal government is freezing the funding of travel allowances to bring them to safety, the number of refugee claims in Canada is DOWN. Many Canadians feel that we have already taken more than our share of refugees. This is a racist stand. They might be suprised to learn the truth that refugees make up only ten percent of Canada's annual immigration. The Canadian government's objective for 1994 is 28,300 refugees, of which 15,000 will be refugee claimants who make claims at a Canadian border or airport or in Canada. Canada accepts a woefully small percentage of the 50,000,000 refugees that exist in this world. Canada endorses a serises of conventions and principles in support of human rights, security, and fairness. These conventions and principles compel us to do our share, not in relation to the performance of other Western nations, but in relaion to what is just. We are NOT fulfilling our duty. As individuals, we can press the Canadian government through our elected representatives to show generosity and compassion. We can stand by the principles sanctioned by our country and emphasize our collective, global, human responsibilty. We can make our voices heard, at a time when those selfish people opposed to refugees and immigrants will be most vocal. If we are in a position to do so, we can also help by sponsoring a refugee or refugee family. Alternatively, we can volunteer with a settlement organization, or support the work of an active international aid agency, church or human rights group. If you are a person of color, additionally you can approach the Ontario government minstries of Citizenship, Human Rights or the Ontario Women's Directorate, for funding to support your group to sponsor more refugees. For more information about refugees in Canada, or to find out how to help, contact your local refugee host groups, local ethnocultural organizations, or refugee advocacy group. Settlement Services ******************* Settlement services are offered by immigrant aid organizations, multicultural centres, and some government offices. The goal of these services is to help newcomers get started in Canada. All services are FREE. Staff and volunteers: * teach English clases, * help newcomers look for jobs and housing, * arrange for interpreters, * accompany newcomers to interviews with officials, * help fill in forms, * organize and fund workshops for newcomers and their communities, * provide free legal services, * provide written information about community and government services, English as a Second Languages classes, and citizenship requirements * help people learn about things that they may be unfamiliar, such as the public transportation system, winter clothing, and all the government programs available to them, * help children and adults who are being abused, * offer individual and family counselling, and * refer newcomers to other services when necessary. A Place to Live *************** Housing is a basic right, but is can be expensive, especially in big cities. When you first come to a new town or city, you will probably find that you can afford only a rented apartment or room. And you may have to share the rent with someone else, especially if you want to live downtown. Most apartments and rooms are unfurnished but you may find one that is furnished with beds, tables, chairs and so on. Unfurnished places usually cost less than furnished one. Here are some tips on finding a place to live: * Immigration offices keep listings of landlords who prefer to house refugee and immigrants. So see your local immigration office first. * Check your local multicultural centre. They have listings of people wanting to share accomodations, landlords looking for tenants, government funded multi-cultural co-op housing (both townhouses and apartments,) that are available for qualified ethnic groups, as well as other government subsidized housing. * Most Welfare offices have housing counsellors. Ask your worker if someone at the office can help you find a place to live. * Try to find a place where the "utilities" (heat and hot water) are part of the rent. That way, you will know exactly what your monthly housing expenses will be. * Look for a room or apartment close to public transit. Public transit make it easier to get around. As a refugee you qualify for free public transit. You may also want to look for a neighbourhood where people speak your language. * When you are looking, walk around parts of the town or city where there are lots of apartments and rooms. Watch for signs that say "For Rent." Usually cheaper places are not advertised in the newpapers. And check the notice boards at community agencies, settlement services, multicultural centres and large shopping markets. * Remember that landlords will often want the first and last months' rent before they will agree to rent to you. This is legal, but be sure to get a written receipt. Immigration Canada as well as your Welfare office will provide you with additional money to pay this. * There are laws that regulate rented housing. The most important law is The Landlord and Tenant Act. As a tenant, you have rights, but landlords often don't give correct information about these things. Find out more by talking to the people at your community legal clinic. They can answer questions about: - leased - rent increases - notices - illegal charges (key money) - repairs and maintenance - eviction - going to court - terminating a tenancy - health and building standards - discrimination in housing, and - any other concerns you have about being a tenant IF YOU MOVE: If you move, tell the Immigration office in writing about your new address before you leave your old place. If you don't, you may be violating a condition of your stay in Canada. And you might miss cheques being sent to you from the Immigration Office. Also, if you are receiveing Welfare, tell your Welfare worker that you are moving. If you don't, you might not get your Welfare cheque. Furniture, Food and Supplies **************************** To set up your new home, you will need furniture, food, household appliances and supplies. For furniture, you will probably need tables, chairs, beds, dressers, and a sofa. You should look for a place that already has a refrigerator and stove becasue these appliances are usually included in the rent. You will probably need pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, dish washing supplies, garbage bags, sheets and blankets, pillows, towels, clothes hangers, toilet paper, and laundry soap. And of course you will need basic food supplies. There are places where you can get many of these things at low cost or for free. Immigration Canada will supply you with additional funding, specially for your furniture, food and housing costs. This is in addition to Welfare or other benefits you may be receiving. If you are reciving Welfare or Family Benefits, you should be able to get extra money for some home appliances and furniture, including baby furniture. However, the rules about this are different in different towns and cities. If you are staying in a hostel, you may qualify for a sum of money from Welfare or Family Benefits when you are about to leave the hostel this money is called a "community start-up benefit." You may also qualify for this benefit if you have to move to leave a place or situation that is harmful to your health. Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army have thrift stores that sell secondhand clothes, linen, furniture, and toys. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is another good source. Call to find the nearest outlet. Churches and community organizations can also be a good source of supplies. You can reduce your expenses by getting some of your supplies from a food bank. In the Toronto area, call the Hunger Hotline at (416) 392-6655. The Hotline will tell you which food depot is closest to you. Outside Toronto, call your community information centre. Remember: Convenience stores or corner stores are not a cheap place to buy staple foods. It's best to buy your basic food supplies at discount stores, food buying clubs, outdoor markets, ethnic markets and large grocery stores. If you don't speak English, beware, as often you will be taken advantage of unless you decide to do most of your shopping at markets that are owned by those of your own ethnocultural background. LEGAL REPRESENTATION ******************** Under Canada's Immigration Act, you have the right to free legal representation, even if you have a deportation order against you and are here "illegally." Immigration officials should tell you about this right. This right to free legal representation not only applies to your immigration hearings, but to all matters, including, civil matters and criminal charges. We strongly recommend that you get qualified legal counsel for your Refugee Hearing because of its importance. It is up to you to arrange for a lawyer or community legal worker to represent you at the hearing. Keep the following points in mind: * You have the right to choose your own counsel, and as a refugee you are automatically eligible for a Legal Aid Certificate. * Contact your local multicultural centre as they can find you a lawyer or consultant who knows your language and specializes in those with your ethnocultural background. * Apply for free legal help (a Legal Aid Certificate) from the Ontario Legal Aid Plan. Or call your local multicultural centre or a community legal clinic. Legal Aid Certificates You can aply for help to pay for a lawyer through the Certificate Program of the Ontario Legal Aid Plan (OLAP). As a refugee your application will be automatically approved, and all your lawyer's fees will be paid. To apply for a Certificate in Metro Toronto, go in person to one of the four Legal Aid offices between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. When you go, take the following: * an interpreter if you don't speak English well, * personal identification such as passports, birth certificates, and other identity documents, and * any documents that relate to yur refugee claim, especially your PIF (Personal Information Form) if you have one. The Ontario Legal Aid Plan Offices are located at: 375 University Avenue, Suite 204, Toronto 1921 Eglinton Avenue East Unit 1A Scarborough 5415 Dundas Street West Etobicoke 45 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 106 North York For information about Legal Aid Certificates in Mississauga, Brampton, or elsewhere in the Regional Municipality of Peek, call (905) 890-8696, For information about Certificates anywhere in York County, including Metro Toronto, call (4160 598-0200. If you live elsewhere in Ontario, your Legal Aid office will be listed under "Legal Aid" in the white pages of your telephone book. The Refugee Law Office (Metro Toronto) Metro-area refugee claimants have the option of taking their Legal Aid Certificates to the Refugee Law Office. Staff lawyers at the Office will represent claimants when they appear before the IRB, but claimants msut first get a Legal Aid Certificate. Staff may also represent claimants if their cases are later taken to the Federal Court. The Refugee Law Offcie is located at 481 University Avenue, near the St. Patrick subway stop. Telephone (4160 977-8111 for more information. COUNSELLING *********** Free counselling is available for: * all newcomers to Ontario, * people who have been tortured, * women who have been abused, and * people who have family or personal problems. For victims of torture: There is an organization in Toronto called the Canadain Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT). CCVT is a charitable organization set up to arrange medical, legal, and social care for torture victims and their families and to help them adjust to Canadian society. CCVT's goal is to help all torture victims, especially those who immigrate to Canda or come as refugees or refugee claimants. For more information, contact CCVT at (416) 516-2977. For Newcomers to Ontario: If you are new to Ontario, find out about the help provided by Welcome House. Welcome House is a free settlement service offered by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship. It has branches in Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Mississauga, and Hamilton, and can: * translate all your documents free of charge into English to help you look for a job, or apply for school, * provide information about community and government services available to you, many of which are not commonly known, * help you fill in application forms for things such as Welfare, Family Allowance and your Health card, * will put you in touch with other organizations that can help you, or that specifically cater to your ethnocultural group, * provide a free Newcomer's Guide to Ontario Counsellors at Welcome House speak many languages, and its Ministry's publications (such as the Newcomer's Guide) are often translated. Here are the addresses and phone numbers for Welcome House brances in Metro Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton: Ontario Welcome House - Downtown 132 St. Patrick Street Toronto, Ontario M5T 1V1 (416)314-6747 Ontario Welcome House - Scarborough 4439 Sheppard Avenue East Scarborough, Ontario M1S 1V3 (416) 314-6470 Ontario Welcome House - North York 1056A Wilson Avenue Downsview, Ontario M3K 1G6 (416) 314-6480 Ontario Welcome House - Mississauga 90 Dundas Street West Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2T5 (905) 848-4680 Ontario Welcome House - Hamilton 2 King Street West, Plaza Level, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1A1 (905) 521-7569 For people with personal or family problems: Many agencies provide counselling to individuals, couples, and families. If you live in the Toronto area, you may want to contact one of the followig if you have a personal or family problem: * Immigrant Women's Health Centre: (416) 323-9986 * COSTI-IIAS Immigrant Services: (416) 658-1600 * Catholic Family Services of Toronto: (416) 362-2481 * Family Service Association of Metro Toronto: (416) 922-3126 * Assaulted Women's Helpline: (416) 863-0511 * Multicultural Coalition for Access to Family Services and Benefits: (416) 516-0204 IMMIGRATION MEDICALS ******************** Once you have made a claim to be a Convention Refugee, you must have a medical examination. Immigration will give you a medical report form for a doctor to complete when you are examined. This form comes with instructions on how the doctor should fill it in. Before you give the medical report form to your doctor, you must attach two passport-sized photographs of yourself to the form. There is a space on the front page for your photos. The medical examination has two parts: * a physical examination by the doctor, and * blood tests and x-rays that are done at a hospital or local clinic. Immigration will give you a list of doctors who can give you the physical examination and arrange the other tests. You must see a doctor on this list, but you should first find out from your local multicultural centre, which doctors are the most symathetic for your group. The results of your physical examination, blood tests, and x-rays should be sent to Ottawa by registered mail. Your doctor can do this, or you can do it yourself. Send the results to: Health and Welfare Canada Medical Servcies Branch, Overseas Region, 301 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L3 Should you be rejected as a Convention Refugee due to medical grounds, seek out Legal Aid and a lawyer immediately, since most reasons for rejection due to serious disease can easily be overturned on "humanitarian grounds". CHILD TAX BENEFIT ***************** You do not have to be a citizen or to have ever paid income taxes to be eligible for this tax rebate, so be sure to read this section. Who is eligible for the Child Tax Benefit? If you have one or more children under 18 years of age and living with you in Canada, you are eligible for the Child Tax Benefit. You or your spouse must: * be found to be a Convention refugee, or * be landed (get permanent resident status) in Canada, or * have had a Minister's Permit for at least 18 months. You are eligible for benefits the month after one of these things happens. If you are already eligible when you adopt or give birth to a child in Canada, your benefits date fromt he month after your child is born or adopted. Single parents, parents in a legal marriage, and parents in a common-law relationship can apply for the Child Tax Benefit. How much money will we get from this benefit? If you get the Child Tax Benefit, you will receive a cheque each month. Benefit cheques are sent to the child's "primary caregiver," usually the mother. The amount depends on the number of children you have who are under 18 years of age. It also depends on your family's income last year. The government calculates a new monthly amount for this benefit every year, beginning in July. To be eligible for the Child Tax Benefit, you and your spouse must have filed income tax returns in you were in Canada last year. If you haven't done so, file them now. You don't need to have any taxable income to file a tax return, but you should do so anyways to get all the tax benefits due to you. You and your spouse must both file tax returns every year to keep getting the Child Tax Benefit. If you were not in Canada last year, complete and enclose a "Statement of World Income" with your application for the Child Tax Benefit. Ask for a copy of this form at the nearest office of Revenue Canada or Health and Welfare. Or call 1-800-387-1193 for more information. It doesn't cost anything to call. Child Tax Benefit payments are tax free. Do not report them as income on your income tax return. How do I apply for the Child Tax Benefit? Pick up an application form at any Revenue Canada or Health and Welfare office. Or call 1-800-387-1193 (toll-free) and ask that a form be sent to you. The application form will ask for your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You must have a SIN before you can apply. Complete the application form, then mail or take it to the nearest Health and Welfare office. Remember to enclose copies of these documents: * your children's birth or baptismal certificates, or their passports or Immigration records, * the Immigration records or Canada Immigration documents that prove your status, and * a Statement of World Income form if you were not in Canada last year. If you mail your application, enclose photocopies of your documents after getting them certified by a teacher, doctor, lawyer, bank manager, or other professional. Getting documents certified is explained in the booklet that comes with your application form. It takes the government about three months to approve a new application, but you will get "back payments" for the months you waited. You will also get back payments if you were entitled to benefits for a month or more (up to eleven months) before you applied. EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENCY *********************** Document translation for education and employment: MTU (the Multilingual Tranlslation Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship) provides a translated summary ("abstract") of the following documents: birth or baptismal certificates, educational certificates and work testimonials. MTU services are provided free of charge to the following residents of Ontario: Canadain citizens, landed immigrants (permanent residents), refugees, refugee claimants wih a work or education authorization, Minister's Permit holders with a work or educaiton authorization, and people who have been approved in principle (AIP) and have a work or education authorization. MTU is located at Ontario Welcome House, 132 Patrick Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, M5T 1V1. Call MTU at (416) 314-6741 or (416) 314-6744 for instructions on how to submit your documents. It is important to follow these instructions whether you take your documents to MTU in person or send them in by mail. Note: If you submit documents for someone else, you must show written permission (a letter of consent) from that person. Evaluation of educational documents: Elementary and secondary education: If you documents have been translated, the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training will do an equivalency evaluation of schooling completed outside Ontario, for free. For more information, write or telephone: Ministry of Education and Training Registrar Services (Evaluation Services) 12th Floor, Mowat Block, Queen's Park, Toronto, M7A 1L2 (416) 325-4300 To get this evaluation done, go to Registrar Services, fill out an application, and provide the necessary documents. If you want elementary or secondary school documents evaluated because you plan to attend school (or to send your child to school), ask for an evaluation from the school you or your child plan to attend. To receive this service, you should live within that school's area and be seeking admission there. Post-secondary education: The following service compares foreign qualifications to the standards used by Canadian colleges and universities: The Comparative Education Service, University of Toronto, 214 College Street, room 202, Toronto, M5T 2Z9 (416) 978-2185. Take originals of your documents, or send photocopies by mail. Also take or send all translations of your documents. Evaluation costs $55 (payable by money order or certified cheque to the University of Toronto, Offcie of Admissions). The Comparative Education Sevice is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and can be reached by phone until 4:00 p.m.. Ask how long your evaluation will take. York Universiy has a similar service. For further information, contact the Document Evaluation Service, Admissions Office, Atkinson College, York Unviersity, 4700 Keele Street, North York, M3J 1P3 (416) 736-5217. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and evaluations costs $40. Take or send translations plus your original documents. All originals will be returned to you. Your local Welfare or Family Benefits Office will provide you with the money you need to pay for these services. Trade Qualifications: The Apprenticeship and Client Services Branch of the Ontario Government is the office in charge of evaluation and approving trade qualifications. Evaluation is based on an assessment of the applicant's training and employment experience. If possible, submit letters from previous employers if yo apply for this evaluation. Ontario standards may be different from standards elsewhere. If you have equivalent training, you may still have to pass an Ontario qualification examination. Thsi examination is given English and French only, but you may bring an interpreter and a dictionary. If you cannot show a skill level equivalent to Ontario standards, you may be able to enter free apprenticeship and advance standing. This will depend on you prior training and experience. To arrance an interview, contact the Apprenticeship and Client Services Branch. Call the Training Hotline at 1-800-387-5656 for the office nearest you. Professional Qualifications: If you have professional qualifications, contact the organization in Ontario that is responsible for your profession. If you do not know which organization to contact, ask Welcome House. The professional organization that governs engineers is the Association of Professional Engineers or Ontario; for lawyers in Ontario, it is the Law Society of Upper Canada, for nurses, it is the Ontario Nurses Association; for social workers, the Ontario Association of Professional Social Workers, for dentists, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons; and for doctors, the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Other professionals should contact their organizations. Appeals: If you do not like the assessments done by any of these organizations and believe that they were biased based upon ethnicity, gender, sexual persuasion, or disability, it is YOUR RIGHT, to take the matter to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and file a complaint. Ontario Human Rights offices are listed at the end of this publication. SCHOOLS ******* School systems in Ontario: There are two publicly funded school systems in Ontario, one is non-denominational and one that is Roman Catholic. In Metro Toronto: The Non-Denominational System: In Metro Toronto, the non- denominational system has an English board of education (called the metropolitan Board of Education) and a French board of education (called the French Public School Board). The English board is made up of six boards of education, one in each for the City of Toronto, East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, and York. All its schools teach students in English. All schools in the French Public School Board are non-denominational and teach students in French. The French Public School Board covers all of Metro. In the non-denominational system there is the Heritage Language Program. Although there are no set guidelines, if you provide a petition with sufficient names, the school is obliged to set up programs to teach your children your native language free of charge after regular school hours, regardless of what language that is. The Toronto Board of Education alone spends $4.4 million dollars on this program. If you have any problems getting your school to implement such a program, you can contact your local multicultural centre or the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The Metropolitan Separate School Board: Theh Metropolitan Separate School board covers all of Metro's publicly-funded Roman Catholic schools. It has a French section and an English section. Private Schools: There are many private and parochial schools that are not part of the publically-funded school systems. Outside of Metro Toronto, call your community information centre to find out about the school systems in your area. Enrolling children in school: Newcomers must often decide whether to send their children to English or French schools. They must also choose among the non- denominational, Roman Catholic, or private systems. After finding the nearest school that meets their requirements, parents may visit the school and ask questions about it. Or they can call their school board and ask about other schools. In most cases, it is best for children to begin school soon after arriving in Canada. It is not always easy to know which grade your child should enter (especially if he or she is of high school age), but this can be worked out with school staff. They will suggest a grade for your child and will help you make important decisions about his or her education. When you register your child, tell school staff about your child's special needs, interests, and problems, if any. Make sure that staff understand your child's medical or dietary needs and learning problems. Give the staff a good idea of your child's previous education. School documents are not required but would be helpful You can find out about school hours, lunch arrangements, holidays, and "before school" and "after school" activities from the staff. ADULT EDUCATION English as a Second Language: ESL Classes English classes for newcomers are often called ESL classes. "ESL" stands for "English as a Second Language." ESL classes are offered through boards of education, community colleges, immigrant aid agencies (such as COSTI, the Chinese Interpreter adn Information Service, and St. Stephen's Community Centre in Toronto), and many other organizations, including Welcome House. Some ESL classes are given during the day. Others are given in the evening or on the weekend. All these classes are free, but many of those sponsored by the Canadian Immigration department, and through Government of Ontario programs also provide free Day Care, and free transportation. (The Federal Immigration department sponsored classes provided through the Separate School Board of Metro Toronto provide free "Metro Passes" that provide unlimited use of the public transportation service, as well as free Day Care services.) For more information, contact your school board, immigrant aid agency, community information centre, or any of the Welcom Houses. High School and College Programmes: You can take high school and college classes free of charge to upgrade your education, but first you must ask Immigration for permission to enroll. Immigration will give you a student authorization. University Programmes: Your foreign diplomas and experience may count for credits in universities. It is up to the individual institution as to what and how many credits they give you for your foreign experience. Bring copies of all your documentation to their admissions department. You can not take these courses for free. WELFARE ("SOCIAL ASSISTANCE") If you are a refugee claimant and need money to live, you may be able to get a regular cheque from Welfare. It is your right. Telephone your local Welfare office and ask to apply. You will be interviewed. If you need an interpreter for the interview, you will probably have to provide your own. Try to set an exact time for the interview, especially if you plan to have an interpreter with you. When the Welfare worker interviews you, he or she will ask you questions and will fill in an application form. This form is a legal document. If you can, check the answers to make sure they are correct. After the form is completed, you must sign and date it. For this first interview, you will need: * identification documents such as passports or birth certificates for each member of your family; * Immigration papers; * the addresses of places you have lived and the dates you lived there; * you bank account numbers, and records of assets and property; * information about how much rent you pay, the name of your landlord, and whether your rent includes utilities such as heat and electricity; and * your lease and rent receipts if you have them. If you receive Welfare, you will get a regular cheque once a month. If you are refused Welfare, you may appeal this decision. Appeal forms are available at the Welfare office. If you are refused, contact your local community legal clinic as soon as possible. Your Welfare cheques are supposed to pay for your monthly rent, food, and other basic needs. In addition, you are also eligible for additional monthly funding for rent, furniture and clothing from the federal Immigration Department; these payments will not affect the amount of Welfare you receive. Getting Welfare means more than just a regular cheque. It includes free prescription drugs and some free dental care. Also, Welfare may help with other needs. If you want help getting special assistance from Welfare for things such as baby needs, winter clothing or first and last month's rent payments, speak to your Welfare worker. Your Welfare cheque has four parts: * the cheque itself, * the cheque stub, * your drug card, and * an income statement. To get your next cheque on time, you must complete your income statement and send it back to Welfare. Welfare wants the statement to be signed and dated on the 16th of the month. If you start a job or receive any income, tell the Welfare office at once. Also tell Welfare about any change of address or change in the number of family members living with you. Please note: If you move to anothe part of town, your cheque may be delayed. Advise Welfar of your change of address as soon as possible. Get to know your Welfare worker's schedule. Each worker has specific office hours for taking telephone calles from clients. At other times, secretaries will take telephone messages. Medical and Dental Care *********************** MEDICAL CARE: Public health insurance in Ontario (sometimes called OHIP) is provided by the government. As a refugee claimant, you should apply to the Ontario government for health coverage as soon as possible as health problems can happen any time. Without health coverage, medical care is very expensive. If you are receiveing Welfare, you will be eligible for government health coverage and should apply immediately. Welfare will ensure you get it. If yo are not receiving Welfare, you can still get free health coverage if you show proof that you are being processed as a refugee claimant. If your claim is rejected, your health coverage continues until you have exhausted all legal appeals. You can appeal a refusal of your refugee claims several times under the Ontario Legal Aid Plan, which can extend your coverage by a couple of years. If you are not receiving Welfare, you need to apply for health insurance yourself. People at Welcome House will help you fill in the form. After your application has been processed, the government will send you a health card and number (sometimes called an OHIP number) for your free health coverage. If you have applied for coverage but you or your family have a medical emergency before you receive your number, tell the doctor or hospital that you will telephone it to them as soon as you get it. Government health insurance covers medical costs for hospital care, unlimited visits to the doctor, and some special dental surgery done in a hospital. It does not cover special requests, forms, regular dental work, x-rays for Immigration, or certain types of elective surgery. DENTAL CARE: Newcomers may need substantial dental care during their first months in Canada. This can be very expensive, but people receiving Welfare are covered for certain kinds of dental care. Some municipalities provide basic dental care, while others provide only emergency care. It is better to live in large areas such as Metro Toronto, where there are more benefits, such as basic dental care. If you are receiving Welfare and need dental care, get your Welfare worker's approval in advance to make sure it will be paid for. Working ******* Refugee claimants can now get an employment authorization (work permit) after: * they prove that they have submitted their Personal Information Form (for example, by showing that they have received one of the following from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB); a Notice to Appear, or a Notice to Appear for a preliminary conference). * their finger prints and photographs have been taken, and * they and their dependents in Canada have had medical examinations, and Immigration has the results of these examinations. In most cases, once you get a work permit (two to eight weeks after you apply,) you can work at any job. However, if your medical examination calls for a medical follow-up, the sort of work you are allowed to do will be restricted. Your work permit will be good for nine months or until the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) makes a negative decision in your case, whichever comes first. You can get another work permit if you must have a job offer and pay a fee with your application The work permit you get will be good only for the job you have been offered. Refugee claimants can get an application for a work permit by going to their local Immigration office if it is open to the public or to a Government of Canada Info Centre and asking for a "visitor kit." In Toronto, refugee claimants can also get a visitor kit by calling (416) 973-4444. Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.): Every worker in Canada needs a Social Insurance Number. To apply for a Social Insurance Number, you have to fill in an application form that you can get at any Canada Employment Centre. It will take several weeks to get your S.I.N. When you get it in the mail, tell your employer what it is. Finding Work: Finding work isn't always easy, but there are many things you can do to find a job. One of the free employment service sponsored by the Ontario government is called Futures. Futures is a programme for people wha are under 15 and "hard to employ" because they are disadvantaged or inexperienced. It gives them a training programme and then finds tham a work placement. The goal is to provide experience that will help them in the future. People receive minimum wage in the Futures programme. To find the nearest Futures office, call the following toll-free number: 1-800-387-0777. Welcome House offers employment counselling and posts listings of jobs with the Government of Ontario. If you are a member of a racial minority, under Ontario's "Employment Equity Act" (Bill 79), you are a member of one of four groups that get "special consideration". Under this province's "Positive Measures" policy, you will get priority to receiving a job within government ministries and agencies. Some community agencies provide employment counselling and help people find work. Here are a few within the Toronto area: * Immigrant Women's Job Placement Centre (416) 488-0084 * Times Change (for women only) (416) 487-2807 * COSTI-IIAS (416) 658-1600 * Centre for Spanish Speaking People (416) 533-0680 * Ethiopian Association Jobs Ontario Centre (416) 516-3117 * Somali Immigrant Aid Centre (416) 766-7326 * Access for New Canadians (416) 530-1455 Speak to people you know in the area and read advertisements. Check the classified ("Help Wanted") pages fo newpapers and the job listings at Canada Employment Centres. Keep your eyes open for signs in store windows for "help wanted." Welfare offices have employment counsellors who can refer refugee claimants to programmes that help people find work, or get training to increase your employability. Most of the teachers in the Ontario Heritage Language Program, are recent immigrants and refugees. You do not need a teaching certificate and the pay is very good. You will have to approach you local school and suggest that you are willing to teach your native language to children of your ethnicity. You may have to start a petition to start the program at your school. (Look in the School section). There are also private employment agencies. Look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Employment Agencies." If you are highly skilled or university-educated, you may find that you are not able to work in your chosen field when you first come to Canada. You may have to take other kinds of work until you receive the licence or approval needed in your field. Unfortunately, there is systemic racism by employers. People of merit are often overlooked especially in senior and management positions. If you feel you have been discriminated against you can file against the employer either with the Ontario Human Rights Commission or with the Employment Equity Commission, it is your right. Employment Equity Commission Toronto 77 Bloor Street West, 10th Floor Toronto, Ontario M7A 2R9 (416) 314-7806 Ontario Human Rights Commissions Offices: Hamilton Sault St. Marie 110 King St. W. #310 390 Bay St., 3rd Floor (905) 521-7870 (705) 942-8417 Kenora Scarborough 227 2nd St S. 3rd Floor, 10 Milner Business Crt. #404 (807) 468-2866 (416) 314-3555 Kingston St. Catherines 80 Queen St. #202 1 St. Paul St., #603 (613) 548-6750 (905) 684-7406 Kitchener Sudbury 824 King St. W., #101 159 Cedar St., 2nd Floor (519) 571-6078 (705) 670-7222 London Thunder Bay 231 Dundas St., #303 28 Noterh Cumberland St., #403 (519) 661-6600 (807) 343-6003 Mississauga Timmins 1290 Central Parkway W. 210 Spruce St. S. #103 (905) 273-7811 (705) 268-2838 Ottawa Toronto 255 Albert St., 4th Floor 595 Bay St., 4th Floor (613) 232-0489 (416) 326-9511 Windsor 215 Eugenie St W., #100, (519) 973-1370 WHERE TO GET HELP AND INFORMATION ********************************* Informations Services: Refugee Information Centre 517 Parliament Street, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M4X 1P3 (416) 966-2233 Community Information Centre of Metropolitan Toronto (416) 392-0505 Welfare: Metro Social Services for information about the location of Welfare offices (416) 392-8623 Emergency Support (evenings and weekends) (416) 392-8600 Food Banks: The Hunger Hotline (416) 392-6655 Daily Bread Food Bank (416) 203-0050 Salvation Army (416) 285-0080 St. Vincent De Paul (416) 364-5577 Women's Shelters: Assaulted Women's Hotline (24-hour information, referral and crisis line) (416) 863-0511 Shirley Samaroo House (24-hour crisi line and shelter for battered immigrant women) (416) 249-7095 Immigration Offices: General Number (416) 973-4444 444 University Avenue - Toronto 1920 Ellesmere Road - Scarborough 5343 Dundas Street West - Etobicoke 4900 Yonge Street - North York 165 Dundas Street West - Mississauga 110 Queen Street East - Brampton Immigration and Refugee Board 1 Front Street West Toronto, Ontario (416) 973-4444 Settlement Services: Ontario Welcome House - Downtown 132 St. Patrick Street Toronto, Ontario M5T 1V1 (416) 314-6747 Ontario Welcome House - North York 1056A Wilson Avenue Downsview, Ontario M3K 1G6 (416) 314-6480 Ontario Welcome House - Scarborough 4439 Sheppard Avenue East Scarborough, Ontario M1S 1V3 (416) 314-6470 Ontario Welcome House - Mississauga 90 Dundas Street West Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2T5 (905) 848-4680 Community Agencies: Afghan Association of Ontario 29 Pemican Court, Unit 6 Weston, Ontario M9M 2Z3 (416) 744-9289 African-Canadian Immigrant Aid Centre 49 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario (416) 861-0199 Arab Community Centre 5298 Dundas Street West Etobicoke, Ontario M9B 1B2 (416) 231-7746 Canadian African Newcomer Aid Centre of Toronto (CANACT) 44 Wellington Street East, Suite 401 Toronto, Ontario M5E 1C8 (416) 861-0199 Canadian Ukranian Immigrant Aid Society 2150 Bloor Street West, Suite 96 Toronto, Ontario M6S 1M8 (416) 767-4595 Catholic Immigration Bureau Main Office: 291 Yonge Street, Toronto (416)977-8600 * Toronto: 1108 Dundas Street West, 2nd Floor (416) 532-0603 * Scarborough: 47 Herron Avenue (416) 757-7010 * Brampton: 284 Queen Street East, Suite 236 (905) 457-7740 * Mississauga: 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 201 (905) 273-4140 Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples 1004 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 3G7 (416) 533-0680 COSTI-IIAS 1710 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario (416) 658-1600 Ethiopian Association in Toronto 851 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1M3 (416) 535-2766 Jamaican Canadian Association 1621 Dupont Street Toronto, Ontario (416) 535-4476 Malton Community Council 7200 Goreway Drive Malton, Ontario L4T 2T7 (905) 677-6270 Multicultural Assistance Services of Peel 3025 Hurontario Street, 6th Floor Mississauga, Ontario L5A 2H1 (905) 273-7129 Multicultural Assistance Services of Peel 21 Queen Street East, Suite 306, Brampton, Ontario L6W 3P1 (905) 450-9437 Multicultural Coalition for Access to Benefits 1115 College Street, Toronto, Ontario (416) 516-0204 New Life Centre (Nueva Vida) 2085 Danforth Avenue, Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario M4C 1K1 (416) 699-4527 Sojourn House 51 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 1X1 (416) 864-0515 Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke 925 Albion Road, Room 307 Rexdale, Ontario M9V 1A6 (416) 742-4601 Somali-Canadian Association of Ontario 2459 Dundas Street West Toronto, Ontario M6B 1X3 (416) 537-1417 Somali Immigrant Aid Organization 698 Weston Road, Suite 21 Toronto, Ontario M6N 3R3 (416) 766-7326 South Asian Social Services Organization 1123 Albion Road, Suite 203 Rexdale, Ontario M9V 1A9 (416) 748-1798 Tamil Eelam Society 366 Danforth Avenue, Suite 364 Toronto, Ontario M4K 1N8 (416) 463-7647 SPECIALIZED REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS: Refugee Information Centre 517 Parliament Street, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontairo M4X 1P3 (416) 966-2233 Working Froup on Refugee Resettlement (Refugee sponsorship group) 1339 King Street West, #3 Toronto, Ontario M6K 1H2 (416) 588-1612 Jesuit Centre Refugee Program 947 Queen Street East, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M4M 1J9 (416) 469-1123 Quaker Committee for Refugees 52 Elgin Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5R 1G6 (416) 964-9669 Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture 40 Westmoreland Avenue Toronto, Ontario M6H 2Z7 (416) 516-2977 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 280 Albert Street, Suite 401 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G8 (613) 232-0909 Amnesty International 440 Bloor Street West, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M5S 1X5 (416) 929-9477