What Role Does Type of Sponsorship Play in Early Integration Outcomes? Syrian Refugees Resettled in Six Canadian Cities

Michaela Hynie; Susan McGrath; Jonathan Bridekirk; Anna Oda; Nicole Ives; Jennifer Hyndman; Neil Arya; Yogendra B. Shakya; Jill Hanley; Kwame McKenzie; SyRIA.lth

doi:10.7202/1064818ar

Authors

Michaela Hynie York University
Susan McGrath York University
Jonathan Bridekirk York University
Anna Oda York University
Nicole Ives McGill University
Jennifer Hyndman York University
Neil Arya McMaster University
Yogendra B. Shakya Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
Jill Hanley McGill University
Kwame McKenzie Wellesley Institute
SyRIA.lth York University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1064818ar

Keywords:

Canada, Syrian refugees, private sponsorship, refugee sponsorship, government assisted refugees, GAR, social integration, social networks

Abstract

Abstract
There is little longitudinal research that directly compares the effectiveness of Canada’s Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) and Privately Sponsored Refugee (PSR) Programs that takes into account possible socio-demographic differences between them. This article reports findings from 1,921 newly arrived adult Syrian refugees in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. GARs and PSRs differed widely on several demographic characteristics, including length of time displaced. Furthermore, PSRs sponsored by Groups of 5 resembled GARs more than other PSR sponsorship types on many of these characteristics. PSRs also had broader social networks than GARs. Sociodemographic differences and city of residence influenced integration outcomes, emphasizing the importance of considering differences between refugee groups when comparing the impact of these programs.

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Author Biographies

Michaela Hynie, York University

Michaela Hynie is a professor in the Department of Psychology at York University. The author may be contacted at mhynie@yorku.ca.

Susan McGrath, York University

Susan McGrath is a professor emerita in the School of Social Work at York University. The author may be contacted at smcgrath@yorku.ca.

Jonathan Bridekirk, York University

Jonathan Bridekirk is a PhD student in the Department of Psychology at York University. The author may be contacted at jonathanbridekirk@gmail.com.

Anna Oda, York University

Anna Oda is the refugee integration and long-term health outcomes project coordinator at York University. The author may be contacted at annaoda@yorku.ca.

Nicole Ives, McGill University

Nicole Ives is an associate professor and director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at McGill University. The author may be contacted at nicole.ives@mcgill.ca.

Jennifer Hyndman, York University

Jennifer Hyndman is a professor and director of the Centre for Refugees Studies, York University. The author may be contacted at jhyndman@yorku.ca.

Neil Arya, McMaster University

Neil Arya is a family physician in Kitchener, ON, and assistant clinical professor in family medicine at McMaster University. The author may be contacted at narya@uwaterloo.ca.

Yogendra B. Shakya, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services

Yogendra B. Shakya is a senior research scientist at Access Alliance. The author may be contacted at yshakya@accessalliance.ca.

Jill Hanley, McGill University

Jill Hanley is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at McGill University. The author may be contacted at jill.hanley@mcgill.ca.

Kwame McKenzie, Wellesley Institute

Kwame McKenzie is the CEO of the Wellesley Institute. The author may be contacted at kwame@wellesleyinstitute.com.

SyRIA.lth, York University

SyRIA.lth (Alyaa Ibrahim, Adela Colhon, Adnan Al Mhamied, Ahmed Bayoumi, Anas Issa, Anna Oda, Anneke Rummens, Arman Hamidian, Ben Kuo, Branka Agic, Carolyn Beuke-boom, Chris Friesen, Christina Clark-Kazak, Dania Kallas, Faida Abu-Gazaleh, Farah Ahmad, Ghayda Hassan, Helen Ala Rashi, Huda Bukhari, Janet Cleveland, Jennifer Hynd-man, Jill Hanley, Jonathan Bridekirk, Kashmala Qasim, Kathy Sherrell, Kwame McKenzie, Lamiaa Al Olabi, Lana Saad, Lina Abdullah, Mahi Khalaf, Marcela Diaz, May Massijeh, Michaela Hynie, Michele Millard, Mona Awwad, Monira Dali, Oula Hajjar, Rabih [Fakhri] Jamil, Rana Mohammad, Rana Nourallah, Riham Al-Saadi, Rim Khyar, Rosemary Yachouh, Susan McGrath, Yogendra Shakya, and Youssef Demashkieh).