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New Sponsorship Agreement:. Overview of changes/additions SAH Conference May 29, 2017. Sections covered. 1. SAH Responsibilities – Section 5 2. Withdrawals – Section 7 3. Breakdowns – Section 8 4. Default and Revocation – Sections 9 & 10 5. Financial Guidelines – Appendix 1
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New Sponsorship Agreement: Overview of changes/additions SAH Conference May 29, 2017
Sections covered 1. SAH Responsibilities – Section 5 2. Withdrawals – Section 7 3. Breakdowns – Section 8 4. Default and Revocation – Sections 9 & 10 5. Financial Guidelines – Appendix 1 6. Definitions – Appendix 4
1. SAH Responsibilities –Section 4 Additions to SAH Responsibilities: • c) All family members listed on the refugee’s application must be included in the Undertaking • d) SAHs must have sufficient cap space when submitting sponsorships • l) SAHs will encourage refugees to access settlement services • p) Refugees have freedom of movement, but SAHs will encourage them to remain in the community of sponsorship
SAH Responsibilities (cont’) More additions: • h) SAH will ensure the CG and/or co-sponsor and PA is notified if the sponsorship application is returned or refused • m) SAH will exercise due diligence in screening volunteers Not new, but written separately with more detail: • s) SAH will inform IRCC of issues that could lead to breakdown and work together to find resolution
SAH Responsibilities (cont’) Additional wording: • r) SAH will monitor the sponsors and the refugees • t) SAH will inform IRCC of changes in organizational governance and in persons authorized to sign • These persons must be meet eligibility requirements • These persons may be subject to background screening Other additions: • b) SAH must have at least 2 representatives in the community of destination • e) SAHs cannot sponsor under Community Sponsorship
2.Withdrawals:Section 7 Additions: • a) Sponsors must advise IRCC in writing of their intent to withdraw and provide their reasons for the withdrawal • Sponsors must make reasonable efforts to coordinate alternate sponsorship arrangements • IRCC will evaluate withdrawal reasons and the Sponsorship Agreement could be affected Added acceptable reason for withdrawal: • v) New information makes sponsorship no longer viable • Alternative durable solution • Involvement in fraudulent activity • Loss of contact with refugee • Evidence that refugee will not remain in community of settlement • Situations that could affect refugee’s eligibility or admissibility
Withdrawal (cont’) Removed as acceptable reasons for withdrawal: • change in relationship between SAH & CG • ‘lengthy processing time’ as acceptable reason for withdrawal – but added to IRCC responsibilities section Added as unacceptable reason for withdrawal: • c) iii. SAH has overextended its ability to support all submitted sponsorships, both financial and in-kind assistance
3.Breakdown: Section 8 Only 1 change! Removed recognition that lengthy processing times can affect the sponsor’s ability to meet obligations. Reference to lengthy processing is included under Section 6, IRCC responsibilities
4.Default – Section 9 Additional wording: • a) When the SAH is responsible for a breakdown and does not attempt to remedy the situation, default may be declared • c) If a SAH takes responsibility when there is a sponsorship breakdown with a CG or Co-sponsor, IRCC will investigate the situation, and the CG or Co-sponsor may be in declared in default. • Clarification: • d) Financial default ceases upon reimbursement • e) Non-financial default ceases when SAH satisfies IRCC that it is in compliance with obligation
4.Revocation – Section 10 Only 1 addition! • c) Depending on the circumstances for the revocation, IRCC may suspend or cancel the SAH’s Agreement
5.Financial Guidelines - Appendix 1 Additional wording: • b) SAHs required to equal RAP rates – but also “consider social-economic benefits over and above the table” • d) Increased the one-time payment per application that a SAH can collect for administrative costs • Was $100 – now $250 • Must keep records of these admin costs but receipts not needed • e) SAHs may not accept funds from the refugee for: • Submission of sponsorship • Prepayment or repayment of lodging, care, assistance • As a guarantee they will remain in community for 1 year
Financial Guidelines (cont’) Addition: • f) SAH must not be a paid representative and will not require relatives to use services of a paid representative Removed: • SAH may decrease financial support if PSR refused to accept a reasonable job offer
Definitions - Appendix 4 Two key changes: • Number of terms defined increased from 49 to 64!! • Location of Definitions section moved to the last Appendix in the Agreement