multiculturalcentre2The Timmins Refugee Sponsorship Committee (TRSC) has received revised estimates for the arrival of the first Syrian Refugee family to the City.

The TRSC has been advised that the federal government has slowed processing for Syrian refugee applications, resulting in estimated travel times being revised from several weeks to at least 4 months – or longer.

The TRSC, which was established in late September of last year, joined the queue to be matched with a refugee family in December 2015. They were officially matched with a Syrian refugee family of 6 in early February 2016. The original estimated time of arrival for the first family was sometime in March. With the revised travel times, the group is now looking at June for the family to arrive in Timmins, but has been cautioned that even further delays may occur.

With the revised processing times, the TRSC has been advised not to expect to be matched with a second family until closer to the end of 2016, meaning the second refugee family would not be settled in Timmins until 2017.

“We are obviously disappointed with the delay, “ says TRSC Chair, Tom Baby. “We’ve made all the necessary arrangements and we are ready to settle both families. Our community has been so generous and people are really looking forward to these families arriving. There is a lot of frustration that it’s taking so long.”

In the regular course, a refugee sponsorship can take as long as several years to complete. The Canadian government has prioritized Syrian refugee applications, but the process for private sponsorship can still take anywhere from several weeks to a year.

“I can appreciate that the process takes time, given the security and medical checks that are involved.  It’s just frustrating because we don’t get a lot of information, and we’re so keen to welcome these families to Timmins,” continues Baby. “That being said, we can’t lose sight of the opportunity our community is giving to these families. They are in such a precarious position and, regardless of the time it takes, at the end of the process they will be safe and sound in Timmins.”