The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program

06/15/2026

While many are celebrating the start of the ⚽️ FIFA World Cup here in Canada, we’re excited to kickoff this year’s 🙌🏾 World Refugee Day celebrations with these in-person events leading up to the big day on June 20th !

Simply showing up matters, especially when we feel defeated - whether on the field or in our acts of solidarity with refugees. As refugee sponsors and supporters, you show up in many ways, through increasingly challenging and exhausting conditions.

This World Refugee Day (WRD), we invite you to recharge and build hope by reconnecting directly with the people in your community. Attend one of the many in-person events held on this occasion. Hopefully you can make your new refugee neighbours feel more welcome. By taking up intentional space, you will send a clear message: refugees are welcome and here to stay.

See the World Refugee Day event calendar at: bit.ly/wrd2026calendar

06/13/2026

05/06/2026

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) has changed as of May 1st.

These updates introduce co-payments for services covered under IFHP’s supplemental health coverage.

As of May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will need to pay:

◾ $4 for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled under the IFHP
◾ 30% of the cost of other eligible supplemental health products and services, including dental care, vision care, counselling, and assistive devices.

These co-payments will be paid directly to health care providers at the time services are received.

Basic IFHP coverage, including doctor visits and hospital care, will remain fully covered, with no co-payments required.

An information kit on these changes with guidance and resources is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/co-payments.html

Further information about the IFHP is available here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/coverage-summary.html

Have questions?
Call our toll-free Helpline at 1-877-290-1701
(Monday to Friday, 9 am - 7 pm EST)

03/17/2026

Welcome to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program. You can always find our upcoming webinars & in-person training events listed on our website calendar.

Visit the calendar here at https://bit.ly/RSTPcalendar

*please note: the link above is case sensitive.

We hope to see you soon!

02/09/2026

📌The new Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) rates came into effect on January 26th, 2026, for the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program and the sponsor-portion of the Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR) program. The changes came into effect earlier for newcomers that receive RAP support from IRCC.

📌Comme annoncé précédemment, les nouveaux taux du Programme d’aide à la réinstallation (PAR) entreront en vigueur le 26 janvier 2026 pour le programme de parrainage privé des réfugiés.

🧩Upcoming RAP training & Support/formation et assistance à venir:

ENGLISH:

↪Attend our virtual training session on March 25 @ 7 pm EDT (Register at bit.ly/newraprates )
↪Read the latest bulletin (link in bio)
↪ Call the toll-free RSTP Helpline: (M-F 9am-7pm ET) 1-877-290-1701
↪ Contact your local trainer @ www.rstp.ca/en/contact-us

FRANÇAIS:

↪ Inscrivez-vous à notre prochain webinaire le 10 février à 18 h HNE (S'inscrire @ bit.ly/nouveauxtauxduPAR )
↪ Appelez la ligne d'assistance téléphonique gratuite PFPR: (
Du lundi au vendredi, de 9 h à 19 h HNE) 1-877-290-1701
↪ Contactez notre formatrice francophone @ www.rstp.ca/fr/contactez-nous/

02/04/2026

📣 Calling all GTA refugee sponsors & newcomers.

Join us on February 5th @ 6 PM Eastern Time for a virtual networking event (GTA).

Register to attend at🔗 bit.ly/connecting4employment

Strengthen the employment pathways for sponsored newcomers & connect with local Settlement Provider Organizations (SPOs).
____

We're delighted to announce that Tara Bootan of ACCES Employment will be joining us as one of four guest speakers.

About Tara:

'Tara is a people-centered leader with more than twelve years of experience helping organizations strengthen employer connections and create meaningful career pathways. In her role as Director of Services & Community Engagement at ACCES Employment, she oversees multiple regional sites, working closely with employer partners, community organizations, and internal teams to design programs that truly meet the needs of diverse job seekers.

Tara’s work blends strategy with heart, whether she’s shaping new services based on labour market trends, leading outreach, or guiding teams through change. She’s passionate about building strong, sustainable employer relationships and making sure programs are inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive for everyone.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Tara supports managers and staff in both unionized and cross-organizational environments, fostering teamwork,

innovation, and continuous improvement. At her core, she’s committed to helping individuals and communities thrive by creating opportunities that connect people to meaningful work.'

02/04/2026

📣 Calling all GTA refugee sponsors & newcomers.

Join us on February 5th @ 6 PM Eastern Time for a virtual networking event (GTA).

Register to attend at🔗 bit.ly/connecting4employment

Strengthen the employment pathways for sponsored newcomers & connect with local Settlement Provider Organizations (SPOs) and other employment service providers.
____

We're delighted to announce that Tony Jabbour of Jumpstart Refugee Talent will be joining us as one of our guest speakers.

_____

About Tony:

'Tony is a Senior Recruitment Partner at Jumpstart Refugee Talent.

In this role, Tony leads the organization’s national Hiring Event model, partnering with employers, employment agencies, municipalities, and government stakeholders to design and scale innovative recruitment pathways that connect refugees with meaningful employment across Canada. With extensive experience in program design, talent development, and cross-sector collaboration, Tony drives the creation of equitable hiring solutions that benefit both candidates and employers. His work focuses on building strong partnerships, strengthening capacities, and shaping practices that highlight the competitive advantage of refugee talent.'

____

Register to attend @ link in bio or at
🔗bit.ly/connecting4employment

02/03/2026

Post-Arrival Responsibilities webinar for PSR sponsors in Edmonton, Alberta

February 4 @ 6 pm MT / 8 pm ET

📌 Register @ bit.ly/postarrivalresp2_edmonton

Learn about:
• What to do when sponsored newcomers decide to move to another city.
• Program Assurance activities & monitoring
• Managing expectations & ethical considerations
+ more

02/03/2026

We picked our favourite stories that touch on topics of displacement, navigating cultural differences and injustice - for both newcomer kids and children in the welcoming communities.

See our TOP 5 list + links to free 'read aloud' versions of the books and printable comic strips here:
https://bit.ly/childrensbooklist

01/19/2026

Join our free 'FRAUD & SCAM PREVENTION' webinar - for newcomers & refugee sponsors in Canada.

January 21 @ 2-3:30 pm Eastern Time.

Scams and fraud are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect, especially with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Anyone can become a target 🎯, newcomers like sponsored refugees who are still adjusting to life in Canada may be particularly vulnerable as they may not yet be familiar with these kinds of threats (yet!).

Join us to learn about:

• Common scams targeting vulnerable groups

• Basics of A.I: risks, benefits, and responsible use

• Practical prevention strategies

• Resources for victims

• Simulation games and Interactive Activities

REGISTER @ bit.ly/PSRScamAwareness