As the government slowly and carefully resumes travel there are restrictions for all people arriving in Canada. Everyone entering the country will have their health assessed on arrival and MUST have a plan to quarantine for 14 days. This includes all sponsored refugees.

RSTP has created an excellent Travel Resumption Resource Kit that outlines the policies and procedures that MUST be followed for the foreseeable future.

When the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced the government accepted most applications.

Some people have received money that they were not eligible to receive.

Resettled refugees with a sponsorship in process are only eligible to receive the CERB if they meet ALL the requirements: including having earned at least $5,000.00 from employment over the past 12 months. If the CERB was received in error, the government is encouraging repayment by December 31st, 2020 without any penalty or further consequences.

The CERB is a contract between the recipient and the government, meaning sponsors are not financially responsible for any mistaken applications. But, sponsors are encouraged to ensure newcomers understand the need for repayment and any potential consequences for mistaken applications.

The RIDE will happen as scheduled on Saturday, October 3, 2020, but will look very different than previous years. Covid-related health risks and operational challenges won't allow us to gather in large groups. Instead, teams are self-organizing covid-friendly plans as permitted.

Ahmed, who arrived with his family through AURA in 2016, has chosen to lead a team because "By participating in the RIDE, I can help pay back to Canada and AURA for the freedom they have given my family." Ahmed and his team will be riding in Newcastle.

Team Leader Tim Taylor has chosen a flat and beautiful route for his team to participate this year. Their 10km round trip along the Don River bike paths will be starting and finishing at the Sunnybrook Stables. Tim has a history with refugee sponsorship is so impressed by the work that AURA does, that he as recently volunteered to join our Board of Directors.

Elizabeth, in Aurora, is planning on holding a "Bike-thru Bakery". Her network includes people in the mountain biking community who love biking AND sweet treats, so she will be baking up a storm for the RIDE. She'll be inspiring people to contribute to AURA with chocolate chip cookies, banana muffins, and blueberry pie. Very creative!

Marin (AURA staff) created this team because she "feels extremely fortunate to call Canada home - now more than ever. She wants to do her part to ensure as many people as possible can make Canada their home too." Join Marin's team for a socially distanced walk from Riverdale Park to Riverdale Farm (East end, Toronto) to mark the 2020 RIDE.

We would like to thank everyone who took part this June 20th in our "At Home" World Refugee Day Event.

In the past we have gathered together to learn and reflect about our roles as refugee sponsors. Obviously this year things were very different, but people found ways to commemorate the day by: screening refugee themed movies, participating in virtual gatherings, and signing up for this year's RIDE.

AURA has developed a Sponsorship Timeline as a reminder for sponsors about the timing of important tasks during the sponsorship year.

Please click the image or click here to download the pdf.

The Government of Canada’s Covid-19 information and resource hub has a wealth of information, including: the current situation, financial and economic support,

Please click the image or click here to visit the resource hub.

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