Episode Overview

Episode Title: How to Sponsor a Refugee – Ratna Omidvar on Canada’s Unique Program
Podcast: The CGD Podcast
Host: Rajesh Merchandani (Center for Global Development)
Guest: Ratna Omidvar, Canadian Senator, founder of Global Diversity Exchange, and former chair of Lifeline Syria
Date: August 2, 2016

This episode dives into Canada’s distinctive approach to refugee sponsorship, particularly the private sponsorship model that enables ordinary citizens to support refugee resettlement. Senator Ratna Omidvar explains why Canada’s migration policies stand out in a global context marked by political backlash against refugees and migrants, detailing the country’s political culture, demographics, and the practical nuts and bolts of private sponsorship. She contrasts Canada’s approach with that of other nations and explores what the world might learn from Canada’s experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada’s Migration Narrative vs. Global Trends

• Global Context:
  Europe’s refugee crisis and political events like Brexit have stoked anti-migrant sentiment and restrictive policies across much of the West. In contrast, Canada projects a more welcoming image, epitomized by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly welcoming Syrian refugees ([00:00]-[01:47]).

• Canadian Exceptionalism:
  Ratna Omidvar attributes Canada’s distinct approach to a national self-image deeply tied to immigration, unlike the increasingly exclusionary narratives seen in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and others ([01:59]-[02:30]).

2. Underpinning Factors of Canada’s Attitude

• Historical & Demographic Realities:

  • A significant portion of Canada’s population is foreign-born (20% nationwide, 51% in Toronto).
  • The country faces demographic challenges including a low and declining birth rate and an aging population, creating economic reliance on newcomers ([05:14]-[05:32]).
  • “We are aging out. We are worried about who’s going to provide our services, who are going to be the doctors, who are going to be the teachers.” – Omidvar ([05:32])

• Role Models & Symbolism:
  Canadian leadership, at both national and local levels, prominently celebrates immigrant success stories as a deliberate choice to foster social cohesion ([03:13]-[03:51]).

• Data-driven Advocacy:
  Anecdotal and scientific evidence in Canada highlights immigrants’ positive contributions to the economy and society, reinforcing public support ([03:52]-[05:14]).

3. Limits of Exceptionalism

• Geography as Protection:
  Canada’s large landmass, relative isolation (flanked by oceans), and proximity to the US limit the influx of spontaneous refugee arrivals, making large-scale crises like those in Lebanon or Turkey less likely ([06:18]-[06:52]).

  “The story of Canadian exceptionalism … is very much grounded in our geography, which protects us.” – Omidvar ([06:18])

4. Private Sponsorship: Canada’s Unique Model

• How It Works:

  • Groups of private citizens (never individuals alone, to prevent exploitation) commit to supporting a refugee family by providing a year’s worth of financial and practical assistance ([09:20]-[09:53]).
  • Financial requirements are significant (e.g., $27,000 for a family of four; $80,000 for twelve as Omidvar’s group did) but attainable via group fundraising ([09:20]-[09:53]).
  • Sponsors become personally involved in the newcomers’ lives—providing tutoring, organizing recreation, and even accompanying children to school events ([10:13]-[11:46]).

  “We want a personal connection. We want to play more than a passive role in settlement.” – Omidvar ([10:13])

• After the Sponsorship Period:
  Refugees become permanent residents immediately, with access to social supports if needed post-sponsorship. Omidvar notes that most sponsorships are successful, with privately sponsored refugees often integrating more quickly ([11:48]-[12:41]).

  “Sponsored refugees succeed better, faster, quicker than other refugees.” – Omidvar ([12:41])

• Who Sponsors Refugees:
  Initially faith-based groups, but now a wide range of community organizations: dog-walking clubs, choirs, book clubs, entire schools, and neighborhood associations ([12:56]-[13:44]).

  “People have come together with this idea of sponsoring as something they can do that helps refugees where they have skin in the game and where they can get personally engaged. … That’s the magic, the personal engagement.” – Omidvar ([13:44])

• Prevalence and Uniqueness:
  Private sponsorship has become a widespread, almost celebrated cause in Canada; few other countries have developed similar programs despite interest in Australia, New Zealand, and the US ([13:46]-[14:16]).

5. Challenges and Policy Limits

• Economic and Budgetary Constraints:
  Concerns are raised about government deficits and competing social priorities, but Omidvar stresses the importance of inclusive policy:

  “There is no either or in this. We must do this and we must do this. And by doing this we are also helping other excluded groups.” ([14:42]-[15:36])

  • The government is careful to avoid portraying refugees as a privileged group.

6. Lessons for Other Countries

• Over-Institutionalization of Refugee Response:
  Omidvar observes that global responses have prioritized multilateral organizations and government structures, sidelining ordinary citizens, local communities, and municipalities, who are vital to successful integration ([15:47]-[16:56]).

  “We have to bring refugee resettlement acceptance importance down to that local level and bring people to the table in the discussion who have been excluded … at its heart, it’s a human construct.” – Omidvar ([16:56])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Canada’s National Identity:
  “We define ourselves so much as a nation … made up by waves of immigrants.” – Omidvar ([02:33])

• On The Desire for Personal Connection:
  “We want to play more than a passive role in settlement … this family has become our extended family.” – Omidvar ([10:13]-[11:46])

• On Integration Outcomes:
  “Sponsored refugees succeed better, faster, quicker than other refugees.” – Omidvar ([12:41])

• On Local Engagement:
  “We have to bring refugee resettlement acceptance importance down to that local level and bring people to the table in the discussion who have been excluded.” – Omidvar ([16:56])

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [01:59] | Canada’s migration approach vs. rest of the world | | [03:13] | How Canada addresses native worker anxieties & celebrates immigrants | | [05:14] | Demographic challenges and economic rationale for immigration | | [06:18] | Canada’s geographical barriers to mass refugee influx | | [09:20] | Overview of the private sponsorship scheme | | [10:13] | Sponsors’ motivations and forms of support | | [11:48] | What happens after the first year of sponsorship | | [12:56] | Who participates in private sponsorship | | [13:46] | Popularity and uniqueness of the program | | [14:42] | Budget pressures, competing priorities, government positioning | | [15:47] | Lessons for the US, UK, France and other G20 countries from the Canadian model |

Conclusion

Senator Ratna Omidvar’s insights paint a picture of an immigration and refugee policy deeply rooted in Canadian identity and practical necessity. Canada’s private sponsorship program empowers ordinary people to directly participate in the integration process, building lasting social connections and demonstrating effective, scalable ways to welcome refugees. She suggests that the rest of the world could benefit by involving local communities and making refugee support a human, not just institutional, priority.