My friend is currently living in Winnipeg and has had plan to move to Toronto, however her baby is in the hospital and has been for days. She was supposed to move before the baby got sick so she had hired legal aid (paralegal) in Toronto. She is currently worried this discrepancy may affect her Refugee claim and that they might deny her solely based off the fact that she didn't live in Toronto when she applies for refuge.
Can someone claim refugee status in one province, but interview in another as they plan to move?
- Thread starter ASho2975
- Start date
As long as hearing will be online your friend can attend from any place within Canada.
If she is living in Winnipeg she isn’t entitled to legal aid in Toronto. The province only pays for legal aid for it’s own residents. If your friend is staying in Winnipeg they must update their address to Winnipeg and also go through Manitoba’s support services for asylum claimants. How did she obtain legal aid in Ontario if she didn’t live in Ontario? In general not advisable not to be upfront and honest about anything as an asylum claimant. Is she receiving any form of other assistance like a welfare? Housing? If so it is actually very important that she is honest about where she is living and you would only qualify for things like welfare in the province where you are living. For example she will expected to pay back any welfare she is receiving if she is receiving welfare from a province where she isn’t living so updating your address and using the services associated with the province you live in is important. If she is paying for a private lawyer their location and your location isn’t a big deal. You are required to inform IRB of you current address an update your address anytime you move. That is also important for communication purposes.
Housing in Toronto is substantially more expensive than in Winnipeg and shelters are full so if she hasn’t secured permanent housing in Toronto she should make sure she has secured housing before moving from Winnipeg.
She is paying for her own legal aid, she is not receiving any assistance from the government. She is a Christian and is from China, she does have enough money so she came to Canada on a Visa. However, she is at risk of being imprisoned or killed in China because she doesn't follow their state approved guidelines of Christianity that dictates Xi Jinping is the real lord and saviour.