We are excited to announce that we will be partnering with TransCare+ in 2024! Once our resources are integrated there, this website will direct route you to our space on their website, where you will continue to be able to access our content.
Immigrants, Refugees, Migrant, and Undocumented Folks
Is Canada safe for 2SLGBTQIAA+ people?
Canada still has work to do in making sure that our country is safe and just for everyone. Canada is internationally recognized as one of the safest and least discriminatory nations in the world for LGBTQ people. In Canada:
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Same-sex relationships and sexual activity are not a crime
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Same-sex marriages are legal and honoured with rights (pensions, benefits, etc.)
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Same-sex couples and 2SLGBTQIAA+ individuals may adopt children
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2SLGBTQIAA+ people can serve in the military and be open about their sexuality and gender
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Discrimination and hate speech against 2SLGBTQIAA+ people by an employer is illegal.
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Trans people can change their name and legal gender
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Does the government allow 2SLGBTQIAA+ people to immigrate to Canada?
Yes. Your sexuality or gender identity is not a reason why you would be denied the chance to immigrate to Canada. You will not be asked about your sexuality or gender identity on your immigration application.
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If you come from a country where same-sex relationships are a crime, and you have a criminal record for that reason, you have some options (Read more).
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If I already live in Canada, can I sponsor my same-sex partner?
Yes. As of 2002, a permanent resident or Canadian citizen can sponsor their same-sex partner to come to Canada, under the same rules as an opposite-sex partnership.
Legit is a Canadian organization that advocates for people in this situation. You can find more information on their website.
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Does the Canadian government allow 2SLGBTQIAA+ refugees?
Yes. If you are a member of the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community and you are being oppressed or persecuted because of your sexuality or orientation you can apply for refugee status.
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Do settlement services in Canada understand and support 2SLGBTQIAA+ people?
It depends. You will not be denied service in Canada based on your orientation or gender identity. However, you may find that when you arrive in Canada, you may need to visit settlement services for help with things like applications or finding a job or reach out to local 2SLGBTQIAA+ organizations around the province for help with accessing resources and health information for 2SLGBTQIAA+ people.
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In Canada, we are slowly learning to be more responsive to the fact that those who are new to Canada and also in the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community have a unique experience from other immigrants or refugees. More and more settlement agencies are offering services to the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community and more and more 2SLGBTQIAA+-specific agencies are offering services to the multicultural community. This is particularly true in larger areas, like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Resources
There are agencies across the province ready to welcome you and help you adjust to your new life in New Brunswick. These agencies can assist you with accessing language training, finding employment, and getting to know your new community. They can also be a place to go when you need information about living and working here. Some associations organize intercultural and multicultural activities to bring together Canadians and newcomers to meet and get to know each other.
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St. John County
The Saint John Newcomers Centre
Saint John, NB
506-642-4242
info@sjmnrc.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Lina Gharbiya: 506-642-4242 lina.gharbiya@sjnewcomers.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
Saint John, NB
506-634-4860
newcomerconnections@saintjohny.com
Pre-arrival services contact:
Min Liu: 506-634-4860 m.liu@saintjohny.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
PRUDE (Pride, Race, Unity, Dignity, Education)
Saint John, NB
506-634-3088
info@prudeinc.org
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
Westmorland County
Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area
Moncton, NB
506-857-9430
info@magma-amgm.org
Pre-arrival services contact:
Rostom Kefi: 506-800-7179 settlement@magma-amgm.org
Olfa Bouziri: 506-800-7480 settlement@magma-amgm.org
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
Centre d’accueil et d’accompagnement francophone des immigrants du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick (CAFI)
Dieppe, NB
506-382-7494
info@cafi-nb.org
Pre-arrival services contact:
Mathias Mawoussi: 506-382-7494 mathias.mawoussi@cafi-nb.org
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
(French presentation)
Cap-Pelé Office – Centre d’accueil et d’accompagnement francophone des immigrants du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick (CAFI)
Cap-Pelé, NB, E4N 1C2
Telephone: (506)332-0073
info.sabec@cafi-nb.org
diane.brun@cafi-nb.org
York County
Multicultural Association of Fredericton Inc.
Fredericton, NB
506-454-8292
mcaf@mcaf.nb.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Angèle Mamba (French): 506-476-4806 angele.mamba@mcaf.nb.ca
Charbel Mouhawej: charbel.mouhawej@mcaf.nb.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
Carleton County
Multicultural Association of Carleton County
Woodstock, NB
506-328-4690
staff@maccnb.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
Gloucester County
Multicultural Association Chaleur Region Inc.
Bathurst, NB
506-547-7651
info@macr-amrc.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Nivosoa Ravololomboahangy: 506-547-7651 Nivosoa.Ravolo@macr-amrc.ca
Carole Tremblay Calrus: 506-547-7651 Carole.Tremblay@macr-amrc.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
(French presentation)
Comité d’accueil, d'intégration et d'établissement des nouveaux arrivants de la Péninsule acadienne (CAIENA-PA)
(French website only)
196 Hôtel-de-Ville Avenue
Shippagan, NB
E8S 1M1
506-336-8888
Pre-arrival services contact:
506-336-8888 coordinateur@caiena.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
(French presentation)
Madawaska County
Centre de ressources pour nouveaux arrivants au Nord-Ouest Inc.
Edmundston, NB
506-735-0604
Grand Falls, NB
855-533-0604
info@crna.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
506-735-0604 info@crna.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
(French presentation)
Northumberland County
Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association
Miramichi, NB
506-773-5272
info@mrma.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Juliette Cabana: 506-773-5272 Juliette.Cabana@mrma.ca
Calecia Rumble: 506-773-5272 calecia.rumblemccalla@mrma.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
Charlotte County
Multicultural Association of Charlotte County (CCMA)
St. George, NB
506-755-9295
info@ccmanb.com
Pre-arrival services contact:
Julie West: 506-755-9295 julie@ccmanb.com
Joan Majchrowski: 506-222-0243 joan@ccmanb.com
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
Restigouche County
Association Multiculturelle du Restigouche
Campbellton, NB
506-789-7747
info@rma-amr.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Yanick Nantchouang: 506-789-7747 yanick@rma-amr.ca
Michelle Arseneault: 506-789-7747 michelle@amr-rma.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization click here.
Multicultural Association for the Integration of Newcomers – AMINA
Saint Quentin, NB
506-235-1804
506-235-0296
Rural Settlement Network – Kedgwick and Saint Quentin
Pre-arrival services contact:
Pascale Bellavance: 506-235-0296 pascale.bellavance@nbmc-cmnb.ca
Kent County
Richibucto Office – Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area
Richibucto, NB
506-523-1842
info@magma-amgm.org
Queens County
Village of Chipman and Area Community Integration Program
Chipman, NB
506-339-6601
newcomersettlement@gmail.com
Rural Settlement Network – Grand Lake Region
Pre-arrival services contact:
Leah Stevenson: 506-327-0103 leah.stevenson@nbmc-cmnb.ca
Debra Lloyd: 506-476-8113 debra@lloyd.ca
Kings County
Multicultural Association of Sussex
Sussex, NB
506-808-0154
info@mas-nb.ca
Pre-arrival services contact:
Chelsie Nightingale: 506-808-0194 c.nightingale@mas-nb.ca
To watch a webinar about the programs and services of this organization, click here.
New Brunswick Multicultural Council Inc (NBMC) / Conseil Multiculturel du Nouveau-Brunswick (CMNB) is working to enrich and grow NB communities by enabling newcomers and members of the multicultural community to fully participate in society.
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Programs:
The Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre is a migrant worker centre located in New Brunswick on the stolen territories of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi'kmaq and Peskotomuhkati. The centre supports migrant workers in addressing their immediate needs, including assistance with immigration applications, labour complaints and housing. The centre also advocates for reforms and systemic changes aimed at protecting the rights, equality and dignity of migrant workers.
Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm.