To sooth public discontent among sponsorship groups over the long wait in receiving their Syrian refugee families, Ottawa has offered the opportunity for them to trade in for ones that are travel-ready. “We understand that the delays have been disappointing for some private sponsors and regret the challenges that we know this caused for many,” said a recent letter from the immigration department to community groups trying to sponsor refugees on the blended visa office-referred (BVOR) list or blended cases who have been caught up in delays. “As a special exception given the pace and volume of the Syrian initiative, we will begin offering replacement cases in the coming weeks to those sponsors that have been impacted by these delays.”The news comes as Canada is gearing up to welcome a second wave of some 6,000 government-assisted Syrian refugees by the end of the year. Sponsorship groups, including many in the Greater Toronto Area, were confused and torn over whether they should abandon the family they have committed to over the past year for a replacement group that they have yet to get to know. Some have been calling emergency meetings, contacting MPs and their families overseas.

Source: thestar August 31, 2016 21:45 UTC