Canada Ranks Fifth Globally for Asylum Claims in 2023, UNHCR Reports

In its 2023 Global Trends report, the UNHCR highlighted the latest official statistics on refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless people worldwide. It said that at the end of 2023, an estimated 117.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced—a significant increase of 8 percent, or 8.8 million people, compared to the end of 2022.

The report highlights the unprecedented scale of global displacement and underscores the urgency for comprehensive, coordinated efforts to address the challenges facing populations fleeing persecution, conflict and human rights violations.

With 146,800 asylum claims of 3.6 million, Canada had the fifth-highest claims globally.

Based on operational data, UNHCR estimates that forced displacement continued to increase in the first four months of 2024 and is likely to have exceeded 120 million by the end of April 2024.

As global conflicts escalate, the report underscores Canada’s critical role as a haven for refugees and asylum-seekers.

“Although Canada’s distance from many of the world’s conflicts has meant fewer asylum claims in the past, the proliferation of war and violence is pushing higher numbers of people to seek safety,” said UNHCR Representative in Canada Rema Jamous Imseis.

Last year, 72 percent of asylum-seekers in Canada who had their cases reviewed were granted refugee status.

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Canada’s humanitarian efforts include new funding to support housing for asylum claimants and special measures for Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and Haiti.

Although housing and support for asylum claimants are the responsibility of provinces and municipalities, the federal government is involved in helping address the rise in the number of asylum claimants in Canada.

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced on January 31, 2024, an additional $362.4 million in funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Through the IHAP, the federal, provincial and municipal governments share costs to address housing pressures resulting from increased asylum claimants.

In addition to supporting claimants, the federal government has announced plans for specific countries – Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza and Haiti.

Sudan

A December 23, 2023, news release said Canada was to launch a humanitarian pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudan.

Miller announced a new family-based pathway for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023, so they could reunite permanently with their family in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has eligibility requirements and additional information on the application process on its website. This builds on the temporary immigration measures for Sudanese temporary residents in Canada who may be unable to return home.

“Canada will continue to help those in need and uphold our humanitarian traditions as a country. This humanitarian pathway will help reunite loved ones and save lives. We recognize the resilience of the Sudanese people and are grateful for their continued contributions to their communities and our country,” Miller said

Ukraine

In March 2022, as part of the Government of Canada’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, IRCC announced new immigration streams for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently.

More than a year after the invasion, Ukrainians continued to flee, with more than 1.1 million displaced in the first six months of 2023, with others fleeing to other European countries.

In a mid-year report for 2023, the UNHCR said a quarter of the Ukrainian population remained displaced.

In April 2024, the government posted important dates for Ukraine immigration measures. They include the June 30, 2024, deadline for Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) holders in Canada to apply for the one-time financial assistance.

The last day for Ukrainians and their family members in Canada temporarily to benefit from settlement services is March 31, 2025. Settlement services are usually reserved for permanent residents of Canada.

The government website, updated in May 2024, has comprehensive information for Ukrainians coming to Canada. It includes information on where to live, getting free help from newcomer services, learning about everyday expenses, opening a bank account, and finding a place to live. Other topics include getting information on healthcare, social insurance numbers, work permits, and finding a job.

Gaza

The conflict between Hamas and Israel, following Hamas’s terrorist attacks on October 7, has created a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

On January 9, 2024, the government opened a temporary resident pathway for Palestinian extended family in Gaza, providing a temporary haven for Palestinians directly affected by the crisis in Gaza who have Canadian citizens or permanent resident family members in Canada willing to support them.

Eligible family members include a spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and immediate family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child and dependent child of a dependent child).

Under the already announced measures, eligible people can apply for a fee-exempt study permit or open work permit once in Canada.

They will also have access to three months of health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program to help address any urgent medical needs upon arrival.

“We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Many people are worried about their loved ones and have expressed significant interest in the temporary special measures we introduced for their extended family in Gaza. That is why, as part of our humanitarian response, we have increased the number of temporary resident visa applications that will be accepted into processing as part of these measures from 1,000 to 5,000,” Miller said

Special measures applications for a temporary resident visa (TRV) are in place. The applicant will be supported in Canada by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a year.

Haiti

Elsewhere, indiscriminate gang violence in Haiti has caused a surge in human rights violations, with 311,000 people remaining displaced within their country at the end of the year. Nearly half of the country’s 11.4 million people require humanitarian assistance.32 Haitian refugees and asylum-seekers rose sharply by 68 percent to 350,600.

On May 23, 2024, the government introduced temporary measures for Haitian nationals, passport holders and family members in Canada.

Eligible applicants will receive three months of health insurance coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program.

Under the measures, applicants must be Haitian nationals and passport holders in Canada with valid temporary resident status.

Family members of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Haitian nations are also eligible under the conditions outlined on the website.

In May 2024, the UNHCR issued new legal guidance to ensure that international refugee protection is provided for Haitians who need it.

Immigration Levels Plan: Humanitarian Provision

IRCC released details on the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026 on November 1, 2023. The plan aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026.

This plan has provision for response to humanitarian crises. In the humanitarian and compassionate category, the plan allows for 13,750 new permanent residents in 2024, and 8,000 in both 2025 and 2026. These numbers are adjusted each year depending on need.

Canada has a strong tradition of protecting those in need, and the government’s dedication to fulfilling humanitarian commitments continues.