Dear partners, colleagues, and friends of JRS Canada,

It is with a heavy heart that I announce a major restructuring of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
Canada.

JRS Canada will honour its commitments regarding all ongoing sponsorship cases.
However, its other activities will come to an end on October 31, 2026.

This difficult decision stems from a combination of factors that have profoundly affected JRS
Canada’s ability to continue its operations in a sustainable manner.

First, regulatory changes to the sponsorship program imposed by Quebec’s Ministry of
Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) have significantly limited the ability of
experienced organizations like JRS to continue their sponsorship work. Currently, to sponsor 20
families, JRS would have to raise $600,000 on its own, as contributions from co-sponsors are no
longer eligible.

Second, the Quebec government completely suspended the sponsorship program in Quebec until
the end of 2029, preventing new applications from being submitted during this period.

Finally, JRS Canada faced significant budget cuts and was unable to secure new sources of funding
to ensure the sustainability of its activities.

Given these circumstances, the JRS Canada Board of Directors recommended that the provincial
of the Jesuits of Canada proceed with this restructuring. The Provincial accepted this
recommendation.

Nevertheless, we are committed to fully honouring the commitments already made to refugees
and the groups supporting them. Accordingly, Hugo Ducharme will continue, on a part-time basis,
to oversee ongoing sponsorship cases until the arrival of the last refugee covered by these cases.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of working alongside you, sharing common concerns,
and contributing together welcoming and advocating for refugees. We would like to express our
deep gratitude for this collaboration and for your ongoing commitment to refugees.

Norbert Piché
National Director
Service jésuite des réfugiés – Canada / Jesuit Refugee Service – Canada