Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming refugees — from the Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s to Syrian refugees in 2015-2016. Understanding Canada's refugee system is important for the citizenship test.
Key Facts for the Citizenship Test
- Canada resettles more refugees per capita than almost any other country
- The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is an independent tribunal that decides refugee claims
- Canada recognizes refugees under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention
- Private sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and organizations to sponsor refugees directly
Rights of Refugees in Canada
- Right to healthcare and education
- Right to work (with a work permit)
- Right to apply for permanent residence after being accepted as a Convention refugee
- Eventually eligible for Canadian citizenship after meeting PR requirements
Study This Topic
Refugee and immigration topics appear in the Who We Are and Modern Canada chapters. Questions may ask about specific refugee movements, Canada's humanitarian tradition, or the difference between refugees and immigrants.
Practice with our mock test — refugee-related questions are frequently included.