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June 21, 2017

Demand grows to clear refugee sponsorship backlog

An elderly woman from Mosul, Iraq, sits at a refugee camp in Khazer, Iraq. Refugee advocates are demanding the federal government clear the refugee backlog.

Canada welcomed World Refugee Day on June 20 with at least 45,000 already-sponsored refugees scattered across the globe, stuck waiting as long as four years while their ready-and-willing sponsors in Canada marvel at the willingness of government bureaucracy to squander their dedication, faith and good will.

Published in Canada
July 20, 2016

Canada needs to step up help for Yazidis, vulnerable minorities

Martin Mark, executive director of Archdiocese of Toronto's refugee office, told the House of Commons Citizenship and Immigration Committee that Canada needs to help the Yazidi refugees

OTTAWA – The head of the Toronto archdiocese’s refugee office made an impassioned plea July 18 for Canada to to protect Yazidis and other vulnerable religious minorities.

Published in Canada
March 23, 2016

Archdiocese looking for huge jump in refugee sponsorships

A group of migrants from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, on their way to seek asylum in Germany or Austria, walk along the frozen route from the border between Serbia and Macedonia to a temporary camp for migrants. The Archdiocese of Toronto has applied to sponsor another 4,000 refugees this year.

The Archdiocese of Toronto is asking Ottawa for the chance to sponsor another 4,000 refugees over the coming year, said Martin Mark, director of the refugee office.

Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
October 28, 2015

Project Hope already making a difference for refugees

Jamie Forget, right, a volunteer with the ORAT, takes documents for the potential resettlement for a refugee family.

TORONTO - More than 105 refugee families fleeing unrest in the Middle East will be arriving in Canada in the next three to four months through the efforts of Project Hope.

Published in Canada
January 13, 2015

Catholic sponsors set to answer call as Canada to take in 13,000 refugees

Syrian refugees warm themselves around a fire Dec. 3 in Ankara, Turkey. Martin Mark, right, executive director of Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto welcomes Canada’s pledge to bring in more refugees from the Middle East, but wished the government had consulted with refugee advocates before making its announcement.

TORONTO - Catholic refugee sponsors stand ready to do their part in bringing 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, but they want to hear more from the federal government about its plans.

Published in Canada