According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, refugees are people who have been forced to leave their homes because of war, violence, or persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a certain social group.

The Refugee Sponsorship Program is a charitable service that assists individuals who are escaping persecution or danger in their home countries. Its purpose is to assist these families as they relocate to a new country with a different culture.

In accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, all sponsorship groups are obligated to comply with and abide by all legislation and regulations regarding eligibility and sponsorship applications.

Groups which are capable of sponsoring refugees: Sponsorship agreement holders (SAH) They make arrangements with the Canadian government to assist in the support of refugees arriving in Canada. Constituent groups are organizations that collaborate with SAHs to sponsor refugees in accordance with the SAH’s agreement. Groups of Five are made up of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who help refugees move to their communities. Community sponsors of refugees are groups, associations, or corporations known as community sponsors.