The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program

09/30/2026

Truth and Reconciliation: a collective responsibility.

When sponsored refugees arrive on Turtle Island (Canada), they become settlers of this land. As new members of our society, newcomers share in the collective responsibility of participating in Truth and Reconciliation the same way that all other non-Indigenous residents and citizens living on Indigenous lands do.

Private sponsors can play a crucial role in shaping the newcomers’ understanding of the impacts of colonialism and the residential school system on Indigenous Peoples – both past and present.

Sponsors can learn alongside the newcomers they've sponsored and demonstrate what it means to participate in Truth and Reconciliation as a meaningful everyday practice.

National days of recognition like today, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) on September 30th, can provide an easy entry-point for starting the conversation. This day also presents an opportunity for newcomers to participate in events across the country where they can listen to Indigenous voices and Elders, be in community and build respectful, healing, action-oriented relationships with Indigenous Peoples and their communities.

Bookmark our Truth and Reconciliation page for a list of newcomer-friendly resources and events: www.bit.ly/ndtr2026

09/21/2026

Ask our BVOR worker anything!
Live on Zoom, September 22nd at 1-2 pm ET.

What is the BVOR program?

It's a partnership between the Canadian government and community members - like you! Through it, refugees abroad are matched with local community members here, who will provide emotional, social, financial and practical support for up to 12 months after the refugees arrive in Canada.

It's a win-win for everyone. The newcomers are more likely to thrive with your support, community members get to participate in a cultural exchange, and the collaboration strengthens community ties. We're sure you'll make some friends and memories along the way!

Register at: https://bit.ly/askmeanythingBVOR

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

07/27/2026

[Français ci-dessous] Now open for enrollment! E-training course for settlement professionals 'Allies in Private Sponsorship (SPT 101)

Registration link / lien d'inscription: https://etraining.rstp.ca/enrol/index.php?id=97

About the course:
This course is for settlement professionals and service providers who work with privately sponsored refugees & their sponsors.

You will learn the basics of private refugee sponsorship (PSR program). You will also learn how to work effectively with privately sponsored newcomers, their sponsors, and other settlement professionals.

This is a self-study course - you can complete it at your own pace during the 5-week course period.

A weekly online discussion forum is available if you would like to ask questions, share ideas, and learn with other participants and the course facilitator.

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Version française à venir>>

Si vous souhaitez suivre le cours en anglais, veuillez retourner à la page précédente ou sélectionner le paramètre de langue anglais.

Si vous préférez suivre le cours en français, laissez-nous savoir. La version bilingue (anglais-français) sera lancée en septembre!

À PROPOS DU COURS

Ce cours s’adresse aux professionnels de l’établissement et aux autres fournisseurs de services qui travaillent avec des réfugiés parrainés par le secteur privé et leurs répondants.

Dans ce cours, vous apprendrez les notions de base du Programme de parrainage privé de réfugiés. Vous découvrirez également comment travailler efficacement avec les nouveaux arrivants parrainés par le secteur privé, leurs répondants et d’autres professionnels de l’établissement.

Chaque module comprend des lectures, des vidéos, des activités, un questionnaire, un forum de discussion ainsi que des ressources complémentaires pour soutenir votre apprentissage.

Il s’agit d’un cours d’autoapprentissage. Vous pouvez suivre le cours à votre propre rythme pendant la période de cinq semaines.

Un forum de discussion en ligne hebdomadaire est offert si vous souhaitez poser des questions, échanger des idées et apprendre avec les autres participantes et participants ainsi qu’avec la personne responsable de l’animation du cours.

Registration link / lien d'inscription: https://etraining.rstp.ca/enrol/index.php?id=97

06/20/2026

Reflections on our collective history on this World Refugee Day.

We are proud of Canada’s strong tradition of refuge; we have welcomed refugees from over 140 countries in the last 200+ years and even won the Nansen Medal for it in 1986. We started by welcoming British loyalist refugees from New York, Scots Highlanders, Black slaves fleeing the United States and Polish, and Italian refugees in the early days.

But in recent years, blame and hate towards immigrants and refugees in Canada has increased, while support for newcomers has declined. The media and online chatter will tell you that newcomers are a threat to our economy and national identity, when it is newcomers who have built this nation and their contributions have made us strong.

Canada IS changing, turning our backs on people entering our country to seek safety - is Un-Canadian.

We’re asking you to stand with us, and show your support for immigrants and refugees, because we know we’re better together!

Join the campaign at BetterTogetherCanada.ca

06/15/2026

While many are celebrating the start of the ⚽️ FIFA World Cup here in Canada, we’re excited to kickoff this year’s 🙌🏾 World Refugee Day celebrations with these in-person events leading up to the big day on June 20th !

Simply showing up matters, especially when we feel defeated - whether on the field or in our acts of solidarity with refugees. As refugee sponsors and supporters, you show up in many ways, through increasingly challenging and exhausting conditions.

This World Refugee Day (WRD), we invite you to recharge and build hope by reconnecting directly with the people in your community. Attend one of the many in-person events held on this occasion. Hopefully you can make your new refugee neighbours feel more welcome. By taking up intentional space, you will send a clear message: refugees are welcome and here to stay.

See the World Refugee Day event calendar at: bit.ly/wrd2026calendar

06/13/2026

05/06/2026

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) has changed as of May 1st.

These updates introduce co-payments for services covered under IFHP’s supplemental health coverage.

As of May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will need to pay:

◾ $4 for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled under the IFHP
◾ 30% of the cost of other eligible supplemental health products and services, including dental care, vision care, counselling, and assistive devices.

These co-payments will be paid directly to health care providers at the time services are received.

Basic IFHP coverage, including doctor visits and hospital care, will remain fully covered, with no co-payments required.

An information kit on these changes with guidance and resources is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/co-payments.html

Further information about the IFHP is available here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/coverage-summary.html

Have questions?
Call our toll-free Helpline at 1-877-290-1701
(Monday to Friday, 9 am - 7 pm EST)