Our Diocese is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), which is able to submit applications for the sponsorship of refugees each year, on a limited basis. Here is a list of other SAHs in your area for sponsorship opportunities. Please note that only people who have left their home country and cannot safely return are considered to be Refugees in the eyes of the Canadian government.
If you wish to sponsor, we will ask you to submit these things:
The diocese has a formal agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enable Constituent Groups to sponsor refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. We've been authorizing sponsorships since the 1980s. Sponsorship groups must be connected to the diocese and take full responsibility for all aspects of settlement for at least one year after the newcomers arrive in Canada. Please note that processing time before people arrive can be 2-4 years, or more! Our yearly allocation is limited, and we prioritize groups capable of fulfilling settlement requirements and meeting Canada's eligibility criteria.
While we welcome partnerships with other faith groups, alignment with the Anglican Church's human rights principles is essential, including rights of women and people who identify as LGBTQ2S+.
The Diocesan Refugee Unit (DRU) is available to meet with parishes who are interested in exploring ways to support refugees through sponsorship, partnering with others, and/or offering assistance to refugees already in the country. Shannon Muir is the Chair of the Unit. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Shakuntala (Satori) Soden, the Diocesan Refugee Coordinator, via email: refugee@vancouver.anglican.ca