News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  


May 25, 1999
(Executive Council)


The following statement was issued today by Walter Noel, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

As members know, hundreds of thousands of Kosovars have been displaced by the tragic conflict in Serbia. The Government of Canada has agreed to accept 5,000 Kosovo refugees under an emergency humanitarian evacuation program. These people are granted refugee status on arrival in our country, and may remain permanently as landed immigrants. About 100 of the refugees are being allocated to our province, consistent with targets set under the national refugee resettlement program, and are expected to arrive by mid-June. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to assist the federal government in settling these people in Canada. Some may remain with us permanently, others may eventually choose to return to their homeland, or move to other parts of our country.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has initiated a Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program which will meet the needs of refugees through partnerships between the federal government and private sponsorship groups. Under this program, basic financial needs, including start-up costs and living allowances, will be paid by the federal government, while sponsorship groups are being asked to facilitate integration by providing orientation and emotional support to the refugees. Sponsoring groups will therefore not be required to make any financial commitment.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador encourages citizens in our province to provide the refugees with the support they require. The Government of Canada is seeking group sponsorships to provide the refugees with emotional support and orientation about life where they take up residence. A number of local religious, service, and humanitarian groups already hold Sponsorship Agreements with the federal government and have had successful experience in resettling refugees. However, five or more individuals can form an ad hoc group for the purpose of sponsorship, providing they first affiliate themselves with an existing organization which holds a sponsorship agreement with the federal government.

We urge people to seriously consider assisting in this effort. Interested potential sponsors should contact local groups experienced in refugee sponsorship and refugee serving organizations as soon as possible. Further information may be obtained by calling the Kosovo Hotline at 1-888-410-0009, or the coordinator for our province, Ms. Marlene Power, at (709) 754-4122.

While the formal sponsorships are requested from groups, there are also many opportunities for individuals to help. Those able to do so should promptly contact refugee service organizations which are looking for volunteers to assist in integrating the refugees into our community.

Canadians, continuing our tradition of humanitarian assistance, are opening our doors to these unfortunate people in their time of great need. I know the people of our province will generously and enthusiastically share responsibility for easing the burdens of these refugees.

1999 05 25         2:35 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement