Refugee Claims

Protection for people fleeing persecution, from first claim to hearing.

Are you or someone you know planning to make a refugee claim in Canada? If so, you should know that the refugee determination process from within Canada has recently undergone some dramatic changes. Timelines are shorter, and stricter standards are now applied to claimants originating from certain countries deemed “safe”. It is essential for potential claimants and those who assist them to understand the new system and to take important steps that will increase the potential of achieving refugee status in Canada.

A refused refugee claim in Canada may not be the end of the road. An appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) will be available to some refugee claimants. Those who cannot access the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) can file an application for leave and judicial review with Canada’s Federal Court. Other options might include a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) or an Application for Permanent Residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds.

If the refugee claimant or his/her supporters have access to funds to hire legal counsel to assist with a refugee claim in Canada, an experienced Canadian refugee lawyer or paralegal can be approached directly for help in seeking refugee status. Refugee claimants are advised to verify the credentials and experience of their legal advisor before engaging their services. If a refugee claimant cannot afford a refugee lawyer, he or she can approach the Legal Aid office in their Canadian province of residence to determine eligibility for free or subsidized legal assistance. If eligible, Legal Aid will provide the names of nearby Canadian refugee lawyers who will accept Legal Aid certificates.

Individuals can also approach refugee settlement organizations for advice on refugee claims in Canada, and for assistance with adjusting to life in Canada. Settlement organizations are located across the country. In Ontario, this website can help refugee claimants locate nearby services.

It is also possible to sponsor refugees who are located outside Canada. Refugee sponsorship is an available option for groups of five Canadian citizens or permanent residents, community sponsors such as church groups, or groups designated as “sponsorship agreement holders”. The sponsored refugee must meet all the qualifying requirements, and the sponsors must undertake to provide financial support for a designated period. Most refugee sponsorships last for one year.

The Immigration Law Group at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. is proud to assist refugee claimants in the Ottawa area, either directly or through Legal Aid Ontario. Both Warren Creates and Jacqueline Bonisteel are members of Legal Aid Ontario’s Refugee Law Panel . We invite potential refugee claimants or their supporters/sponsors to contact our office to set up a consultation regarding refugee claims in Canada.

Over the past 29 years, our group has successfully represented hundreds of refugees from the following countries. The following diverse list demonstrates the resourcefulness of our team and our ability to handle any refugee case from any country at all. We have an impressive record of successfully representing refugee claims based upon any of the recognized grounds, including political opinion, activity, and opposition, religious intolerance, family affiliation, ethnic persecution, gender violence, and race or ethnicity:

Afghanistan · Angola · Belarus · Belgium · Bolivia · Burundi · China · Colombia · Cuba · Democratic Republic of Congo · Djibouti · Egypt · El Salvador · Ethiopia · Eritrea · India · Iran · Iraq · Israel · Lebanon · Malaysia · Mexico · Moldova · Nepal · Nicaragua · Nigeria · Rwanda · Romania · Russia · Saudi Arabia · Somalia · Syria · Uganda · Ukraine · Uzbekistan

To discuss your situation or set up a consultation, call (613) 238-2022 or email wcreates@perlaw.ca.