We are proud to live in a country that welcomes refugees and other newcomers, it is at the heart of who we are as Canadians. But in recent years, the Canadian government has slashed refugee programs. The Group of Five and Community Sponsorship Program, which accounted for about 40 per cent of the privately sponsored refugees entering Canada, was “paused” for one year in 2025. … Continue reading Better Together
More than 7 in 10 of the world’s refugees and displaced populations came from just six countries in 2025. That’s the key finding in the UNHCR Global Trends Report released in June.
The six countries are:
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Ali teaching kids in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement before he was attacked.
Ali, his wife and three young children are counting the days (literally) to when they receive news about their refugee application to Canada.
“The kids always ask: ‘When will we go to Saskatoon?'” Ali told Nest. “We are waiting and waiting. Counting the days. Checking emails. Checking phone messages. Waiting for news.”
Nest Saskatoon and the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) submitted Ali and his family’s refugee application to the Canadian government on November 4, 2025, under what was supposed to be a fast-track for people fleeing the Sudanese conflict. But their application continues to be delayed due to Canadian government restrictions on processing applications from Uganda due to concerns about Ebola.
Uganda was declared Ebola free on July 28, but the Canadian government continues to extend its ban on processing immigration applications from that country. The latest ban, which was to be removed September 27, was extended until November 27.
Nest and the Canadian Lutheran World Relief sent a letter to the Visa Office on September 16, requesting an exemption for Ali and his family.
Continue reading “Nest requests exemption”
For every 100 immigrants arriving in Canada this year, only 9 are refugees. That number will be even less in 2026, due to more government cuts to the refugee resettlement program.
Continue reading “Cuts “deeply disappointing””
The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) and more than 100 organizations across the country are calling for strong, political action on immigration. The Canada We Believe In campaign, launched April 17 in the midst of the federal election, asserts that immigration has strengthened Canada and enriched our communities for generations. But the campaign organizers worry trust in the immigration system is faltering. “Without action, we … Continue reading The Canada We Believe In
This is a story about Canada’s response to two humanitarian crises. The first in Afghanistan, the second in Sudan. It’s a story of success and failure. When the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the country plunged into a humanitarian crisis. The Canadian government responded quickly, promising to resettle 40,000 Afghans in Canada through special humanitarian programs. Among the … Continue reading Showing Canada’s face
As the Canadian government discusses plans to tighten security along the Canada/ US border and make it more difficult for people to claim asylum, it is worth remembering that seeking asylum is not a crime. It is a fundamental human right enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Canada is a signatory to both. In 2023, more than … Continue reading Seeking asylum is not a crime
Opinion by Beth Smillie The federal government’s decision to stop new refugee applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors until January 2026 is another blow to the once vaunted Canadian private sponsorship program. The global refugee crisis has more than doubled in scope over the last decade. As a nation, we should be rising to the challenge, not blocking the few paths available to … Continue reading An unwelcome decision
Nest is financially supporting several refugee sponsorships this year. One family fled the violence in Sudan and the other fled the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Your donations are needed and appreciated.
Continue reading “Your donations at work!”
An Eritrean refugee and her daughter, who have suffered hardship and displacement, have been denied asylum in Canada. Nest is dismayed by the decision and has asked the Visa Officer to reconsider.
Continue reading “Reconsideration urged”
