FCJ Refugee Centre

For 30 years, we at the FCJ Refugee Centre have been walking with uprooted people. We remain unwavering, and relentless in our commitment to walk with people who have faced and continue to experience exclusion, marginalization and oppression. Today and every day we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across this country.

Canada’s history begins with the colonization of Indigenous land, upon which we have built a foundation of false hopes and empty promises to all First Nations people.

While our country mourns together over the ongoing discoveries of the remains of Indigenous children on multiple sites of residential schools, we must not forget that anti-Indigenous racism and prejudice is not just in Canada’s past. It is very much a part of our society today. While this may be shocking to some, to far too many others it is a daily reminder of Canada’s gross mistreatment, abuse, and exploitation of Indigenous peoples, their land, and their communities.

We stand in grief and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples across Canada who were forcibly sent to residential schools. We stand with them, as they face the trauma caused by the church and the Canadian government alike, through residential schools, and many other forms of systematic and ongoing racism. We acknowledge the impact that colonialism, systemic racism, and violence have on members of this community. Although many in our community have been displaced by similar forces of racism, neocolonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, the rise of fascist movements, and unfettered commercial exploitation in our countries of origin, we recognize that our organization is not free of racism, and pledge to take an active part in decolonization and reconciliation.

We recognize how we have profited from Canada’s colonialism, and we at the FCJ Refugee Centre would like to acknowledge the land on which its establishment is housed, and where staff, volunteers and members alike gather. This land is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.

We urge the Canadian government to continue to investigate all 130+ residential school burial sites and bring justice to the families. Our elected officials must work with Indigenous leaders, allow room for self-autonomy and must always prioritize the best interest of indigenous children and their communities. As a community we must also educate ourselves with the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in order to create change and work with indigenous communities.

This time demands from us thoughtful consideration of the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Report. We must demand action from our elected officials.

We must demand that all children are taught the true history of the land upon which we live.

We commit ourselves to participate in active reflection, and reconciliation of the true and terrible foundation upon which Canada was built.

On stolen land.

With stolen sons and daughters.

As we approach the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we commit unwavering support and solidarity. Together we will reflect. We will continue to learn. And we will teach our sons and daughters the truth of our history, so it shall never be repeated again.

We honour the victims, survivors, and all families impacted by the trauma inflicted upon generations of Indigenous communities through action, not simply words.

Please join us, and join the calls to action.

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The Migrant Women’s Counter Human Trafficking Alliance is a regional project that aims to enhance capacity and knowledge regarding the specific barriers and challenges presented in international cases where women have been victimized and marginalized by Human Trafficking.

At FCJ Refugee Centre we are committed to approaching women through a peer led model that will provide them with holistic information and access to wrap around services and support.

The goal of our weekly sessions will be for participants to engage in community building and social connection. Sessions will provide a safe space and tight knit community for migrant women. This will allow the opportunity to form friendships, encourage healing, build awareness and promote resilience.

Weekly sessions will include a number of planned workshops such as: utilizing art therapy to deal with anxiety, self-care tips, how to protect your mental wellbeing and group therapy sessions.

The sessions are starting on October 2021, please contact Isabella Eldeib at isabella.eldeib@fcjrefugeecentre.org for further information.

Application deadline: October 1st 2021, 5.00 pm
Salary: $20 – $22/hr according to relevant experience
Hours: 37.5 hours weekly

The FCJ Refugee Centre strives to meet the diverse needs of uprooted people in communities across Ontario. The Anti-Human Trafficking Migrant Case worker is tasked to offer a holistic approach in supporting and responding to the needs of migrant workers who have experienced, who are experiencing or who are at-risk of human trafficking, with a special focus on international cases of labour exploitation. You will be providing ongoing services to clients, from intake to follow-up as our doors are always open for returning clients. FCJ Refugee Centre has been providing service to those with precarious immigration status for the past 30 years.

No two days are the same at FCJ Refugee Centre. As part of working in a small grassroots organization, you need to be open to adapt yourself to any situation. You will be a core part of the Anti-Human Trafficking team, but will be working in collaboration with the organization as a whole and might be asked to support other teams with evolving tasks. The Anti-Human Trafficking team also supports remote and rural communities by contributing to create awareness and building capacity through meetings, information sessions and trainings to these organizations. Currently, while working in office most appointments with clients are done over the phone and online but you may be required to travel to locations around Ontario to provide information sessions and client support.

While our main focus is immigration support, we also provide client with assistance to access social services like Legal Aid, Ontario Works, housing, food security, etc. Knowledge of services available to those in need is critical. We are part of multiple local, provincial and federal networks that fight for migrant rights and other social issues. You will be required to attend network meetings and share with them the resources and news from FCJ Refugee Centre.

Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing intensive holistic case management independently and in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking team.
• Perform intake with clients to better understand their needs and create a work plan based on information gathered during intake.
• Refer and support clients in applying for social services such as Legal Aid Ontario, Ontario Works, ODSP when eligible.
• Provide accurate and up-to-date information about various labour rights and human trafficking for labour exploitation as they relate to exploited or at-risk migrant workers under the supervision of the project coordinator.
• Provide individualized support, information and guidance on labour rights and human trafficking, including supporting clients in filling out forms and helping with case management in regards to wider settlement and other issues.
• Organize and prepare critical applications such as Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers, Temporary Resident Permits, or Humanitarian and Compassionate applications.
• Collect and analyze data related to the case support.
• Maintain accurate records and statistics. Prepare statistical and narrative reports for the project coordinator.
• Adhere to organizational policies, including confidentiality, reporting and anti-oppression.
• Provide accurate/up-to-date information about labour rights and other processes as they relate to exploited or at risk migrant workers, under the supervision of the FCJ Co-director and/or HT program coordinator.
• Support the project coordinator in the individual case management as well as the implementation of other activities related to the project.
• Closely monitor service delivery. Conduct and coordinate follow-up and reporting.
• Support and participate in the meetings with the Advisory Committee.
• Contribute to creating awareness and building capacity through participating I meetings, representing FCJ in coalitions, and attending training for stake holder organizations and partners, informing on possible different types of issues which affect precarious migrants.
• Aid in improving and developing our outreach to organizations and migrant workers in rural and remote areas.

Qualifications:

• Second language capabilities required- fluency in Spanish, and/or Portuguese. French an asset.
• Results oriented, highly motivated, and able to work effectively independently or within a team setting.
• Committed to working from intersectional, anti-oppression, feminist anti-racist framework.
• Experience working with newcomers, precarious migrants, diverse communities and vulnerable populations.
• Previous experience writing evaluations, reports and/or tool-kits is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of labour and other processes as they relate to exploited and at-risk migrant workers, and community resources
• Adept in public speaking with experience in facilitating workshops, meetings and information sessions, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Lived experience with human trafficking and /or migration will be recognized.
• Must be able to adapt a flexible work arrangement which may include a combination of virtual remote work from home and work in office arrangements. This will be based on organization and program needs as determined by supervisor.

As an employer who values diversity in its workforce, we encourage candidates to self-identify as members of the following groups: women, visible minority, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume by email only (in word format) by October 1st, 5pm to: Natasha Rollings via natasha.rollings@fcjrefugeecentre.org with the subject line Migrant Caseworker Application.

We thank all applicants; however, due to the volume of applicants, only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Special program for vulnerable Afghans

The government announced on August 13 an expanded resettlement program, intended to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees. See web page (which is being updated).

This program includes:

• A previously announced and active program for Afghans who worked for the Canadian government (“Special program for Afghans who assisted Canada”). These people can be inside or outside Afghanistan.
• A promise of a program for Afghans outside Afghanistan to be resettled (see below).

Resettlement program

The details are not yet finalized but it is expected that the program will be implemented quite soon. The government is seeking input from organizations, including the CCR. The plan is to have more flexibility than with normal resettlement programs (for example, flexibility on definitions and inclusion of extended families).

The program will resettle 8,000 Government Assisted Refugees (these are new places, additional to what was already in the immigration levels), as well as Privately Sponsored Refugees.

Family reunification

The special program covers also family reunification applications (either Family Class sponsorships or family members of accepted refugees included on their permanent residence application – the latter category was eliminated in the 19 August update of the web page, but apparently that is an error).

IRCC says they will “prioritize the processing” of the family reunification applications.

CCR has been advocating for the government to issue Temporary Residence Permits to family members of accepted refugees and to evacuate them. A group of Afghans in this situation has formed to do advocacy and give mutual support. (Email afghanfamily.evacuation@gmail.com).

Refugee claimants

The IRB is taking measures to expedite all Afghan files. This includes reviewing refugee claims to see if they can be accepted on paper or referred to a short hearing. See IRB Afghan measures.

Evacuation from Kabul

The government is trying to move as many people as possible, but there is limited capacity. The priorities are Canadian citizens and permanent residents and Afghans who assisted the Government of Canada.

Canadian Council for Refugees, Updated 20 August 2021

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Special program for Afghans – Summary of CCR recommendations

In response to the crisis in Afghanistan and the government’s August 13 announcement of an expanded resettlement program for Afghans, the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR( has been making the following recommendations to the government.

1. Family members of Protected Persons (accepted refugees) in Canada

• CCR is asking that the government issue Temporary Residence Permits to family members of accepted refugees and include them among the priorities for evacuation out of Kabul.

2. Afghan resettlement should be additional to existing spaces

• The commitment to 20,000 places is good, but the numbers should be additional to places already committed in the immigration levels. The government should not count applications of Afghans who were already in process.
• This commitment should not result in delays for applicants of other nationalities.

3. Facilitating private sponsorship

• The requirement for a Refugee Status Determination document (for Group of Five and Community Sponsors) should be waived (since most Afghan refugees will likely be unable to obtain it).
• Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) need additional allocation spaces to allow them to sponsor Afghans.
• The government should alleviate the burdens of the pending Program Integrity Framework (PIF) which will compromise SAH capacity. Many SAHs may hesitate to take on new commitments due to concerns about what PIF will mean.
• The door needs to be opened to private sponsorship in Quebec (currently no new private sponsorship applications can be submitted in Quebec).

4. Family reunification

• We welcome the inclusion of family reunification immigration channels in the special measures. However, there need to be concrete commitments to expedite processing and to remove barriers.

Canadian Council for Refugees, Updated 23 August 2021

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Q&A

1. Who qualifies for this support?

Afghan citizens outside of Canada who are immediate family members (spouse, dependent child or grandchild) of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons applying for permanent residence, or resettled Afghan refugees.

2. What type of applications can receive support?

Permanent residence applications being processed or future permanent residence applications and Temporary Residence (TRV) applications being processed or will be submitted.

3. How to request priority processing for PR applications?

a. Existing Applications:

• By Paper: If you already have an application number (through application acknowledgement letter) please email via the dedicated inbox (IRCC.SituationAfghanistan.IRCC@cic.gc.ca) with the subject “Afghan Special Measures 2021”. Please see emailing instructions below.

b. New Applications:

• By Paper: Applicants submitting a family class paper-based application must label the envelope with “Urgent – Afghanistan priority” to ensure officers process their application on a priority basis.
• Online Applications: Although IRCC staff is instructed to flag online applications received from Afghani clients. Applicants can also submit priority processing via the dedicated inbox (IRCC.SituationAfghanistan.IRCC@cic.gc.ca) with the subject “Afghan Special Measures 2021”. Please see emailing instructions below.

4. Email Instructions for Priority Email to make sure the application is flagged as a priority

The email should include

• their name and date of birth, UCI Number, Application number
• the email address used for the Permanent Residence Portal submission or Generic Form
• the documentation for Afghan citizens wishing to come to Canada should prove their residence, their relationship with family members, their family members’ Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status

Please be advised that admissibility issues are still in effect. The only exception is that medical examinations can be conducted upon arrival in Canada if it they are not possible to complete abroad.

You can find the official guide here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/afghanistan.html#s4

FCJ Refugee Centre, Updated 25 August 2021