“By repealing programs such as the Source Country, we can direct more resources on proven and effective resettlement programs, such as our partnership with the UNHCR,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “This will enable us to quickly offer refuge for more individuals in real need of protection.”

The Source Country is a class that is intended to be used as a flexible tool for humanitarian intervention. Its goal is to provide resettlement assistance to those in need of protection, but who are unable to leave their country and are not receiving protection under the authority of the UNHCR.

However, the Source Country class was not flexible in reality and did not allow government to respond to emergency situations. The class was seen as too restrictive as it only applied to people in countries listed in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. In addition, approval rates in the class were low, with an approval rate of less than 10 percent. By working through the UNHCR, the approval rate is over 85 percent.

“Canada remains committed to those who need our protection,” added Minister Kenney. “We are working with international partners to find long-term solutions to a number of protracted refugee situations. For example, Canada will resettle 20,000 refugees from Iraq and Iran over a five-year period, many of whom were persecuted for their religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Also, as part of the measures to reform Canada’s refugee protection system, the Government of Canada is increasing the total number of refugees resettled each year by 20 percent. This means that up to 500 more government-assisted refugees and 2,000 privately sponsored refugees will find protection in Canada.”

Click here to learn more about Canada’s refugee programs.