Who are refugees?
In Canada, there are different types of refugees:
Protected persons are former refugee claimants whose claim has been accepted by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Protected persons are formally recognized by the Government of Canada and can apply for permanent residence.
Resettled refugees arrive in Canada through different resettlement programs (i.e. Government-Assisted Refugees Program, Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, or blended support between government and private sponsor programs). Resettled refugees have Permanent Resident status as soon as they arrive in Canada.
As a refugee, you can:
- Receive limited health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program, including some pre-departure medical services.
- Receive public healthcare through the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) after arriving in Ontario as a resettled refugee or once your refugee claim has been accepted.
- Attend any elementary or secondary school in Ontario (catholic or public).
- Work if you're a Permanent Resident or by applying for a work permit.
- Attend college or university if you're a Permanent Resident or Refugee/Protected Person. You can also apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
- Receive protection under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
As a refugee, you cannot:
- Vote or run for political office
- Hold specific jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement
- Get OSAP to pay for your post-secondary education (this only applies to refugee claimants)
Once you become a permanent resident, you will have many rights and responsibilities, and you gain more – like the right to vote or run for political office – once you become a Canadian citizen.
Find more information:
- WelcomeOntario - an information hub for privately sponsored refugees in Ontario
- What assistance can refugees get in Canada? - a Settlement.Org article
- Basic Information for Refugees - by Settlement.Org