Social Studies · Grade 6 · Immigration and the Changing Face of Canada · Term 4

Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Canada

Examining Canada's role in providing a safe haven for people fleeing war, persecution, or natural disasters.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: People and Environments: Canada's Interactions with the Global Community - Grade 6

About This Topic

Refugees and asylum seekers represent people forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disasters, seeking protection in Canada. Students differentiate these from immigrants, who move voluntarily for economic or family reasons. They examine Canada's legal framework under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which aligns with UN conventions. Key criteria for refugee status include a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

This topic fits within Ontario's Grade 6 curriculum on Canada's interactions with the global community. Students analyze real-world examples, such as the resettlement of Syrian refugees or Afghan evacuees, to understand processing steps like claimant hearings and appeals. They justify Canada's ethical responsibilities through discussions of human rights, international law, and shared global security, fostering skills in critical analysis and empathy.

Active learning shines here because simulations and role-plays make distant crises feel immediate. When students debate policy or reenact asylum interviews, they build perspective-taking and ethical reasoning, turning abstract laws into personal stories that stick.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between the legal definitions of an immigrant and a refugee.
2. Analyze the criteria Canada uses to determine refugee status.
3. Justify Canada's ethical responsibilities to individuals seeking safety.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the legal definitions of immigrant and refugee based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Analyze the criteria Canada uses to assess claims for refugee status, referencing the Geneva Convention.
• Evaluate Canada's ethical obligations to individuals seeking asylum using principles of human rights and international law.
• Explain the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in global refugee protection.
• Justify the importance of due process in refugee determination hearings.

Before You Start

Canada's Diverse Population

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Canada's history of immigration and its multicultural society to contextualize the arrival of refugees.

Forms of Government and Civic Responsibility

Why: Understanding basic concepts of government and civic duty helps students grasp Canada's role in international law and humanitarian aid.

Key Vocabulary

Refugee	A person who has fled their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, and cannot return home.
Asylum Seeker	A person who has applied for protection as a refugee and is awaiting a decision on their claim. They are seeking safety in a country other than their own.
Persecution	Serious harm or threats of harm that are systematic, severe, and often carried out by the state or actors the state cannot or will not control.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)	The Canadian federal law that governs immigration and refugee protection in Canada, outlining the rights and responsibilities of individuals and the government.
Geneva Convention	An international treaty that defines who is a refugee and outlines the rights of refugees and the obligations of signatory countries, including Canada.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All people coming to Canada from other countries are refugees.

What to Teach Instead

Immigrants choose to move for better opportunities, while refugees flee immediate danger. Sorting activities with real profiles help students categorize and discuss differences, clarifying legal distinctions through peer teaching.

Common Misconception

Refugee status is granted automatically to anyone who arrives.

What to Teach Instead

Canada assesses claims rigorously through interviews and evidence. Role-play hearings reveal the process's fairness and challenges, helping students appreciate criteria over assumptions.

Common Misconception

Refugees only flee war; economic hardship qualifies them.

What to Teach Instead

Persecution on specific grounds defines refugees, not poverty. Case study comparisons in groups correct this, as students weigh evidence and build nuanced views.

Active Learning Ideas

Jigsaw: Refugee Journeys

Divide class into expert groups, each researching a different refugee crisis (e.g., Syrian, Ukrainian, Rohingya). Groups create visual timelines of events leading to flight and Canada's response. Experts then teach their peers in mixed home groups, followed by a class gallery walk.

50 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: Asylum Hearing

Assign roles: claimant, immigration officer, lawyer, interpreter. Provide case files with evidence. Students conduct mock hearings, deliberate on status approval, then debrief on real criteria and ethical factors.

45 min·Small Groups

Debate Circles: Refugee Policies

Pose statements like 'Canada should prioritize private sponsorships.' Students prepare pro/con arguments in pairs, then debate in rotating circles. Vote and reflect on how evidence sways opinions.

40 min·Pairs

Mapping Activity: Global to Canada

Students plot refugee source countries on world maps, trace migration routes, and mark Canadian entry points. Add data on acceptance rates and discuss patterns.

35 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) adjudicators conduct interviews to determine if individuals meet the definition of a refugee. These hearings are crucial steps in the asylum process.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the Canadian Council for Refugees provide support and advocacy for asylum seekers, assisting them with legal processes and settlement in communities across Canada.
• The resettlement of Syrian refugees in 2015 involved government agencies, settlement agencies, and community volunteers working together to provide housing, language training, and social integration support.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If Canada has limited resources, how should we prioritize who receives asylum?' Facilitate a class debate, encouraging students to use evidence from the lesson to support their arguments about ethical responsibilities and practical considerations.

Quick Check

Provide students with short case study scenarios of individuals seeking protection. Ask them to write one sentence explaining whether the individual would likely be considered a refugee or an immigrant under Canadian law, and why.

Exit Ticket

On a slip of paper, have students define 'refugee' in their own words and list two reasons why someone might need to seek asylum in another country.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Canada decide refugee status?

Canada uses criteria from the 1951 UN Refugee Convention: well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group. Asylum seekers claim protection at borders or inland; the Immigration and Refugee Board holds hearings with evidence review. Appeals ensure fairness, balancing humanitarian needs with security.

What is the difference between immigrants and refugees in Canada?

Immigrants enter through economic, family, or business programs voluntarily. Refugees seek protection from persecution or danger, processed via government-assisted, privately sponsored, or inland claims. This distinction shapes Canada's points-based immigration system versus humanitarian obligations.

How can active learning teach about refugees and asylum seekers?

Role-plays of asylum hearings let students embody perspectives, building empathy. Jigsaws on global crises distribute expertise, while debates on policies sharpen ethical arguments. These methods make laws tangible, counter misconceptions through evidence handling, and connect personal stories to Canada's global role.

What are examples of Canada's refugee programs?

Programs include Government-Assisted Refugees for war victims, Private Sponsorship for community groups, and Blended Sponsorship mixing funds. Recent efforts resettled over 40,000 Syrians and Ukrainians. Students analyze these via timelines to see evolving commitments.