Tell us if you change your contact information
Keep your contact information up to date with the Refugee Protection Division (RPD). The
RPD will not be able to reach you if we do not have correct contact information.
We must be able to let you know your hearing date and send you important information. If we do not have your current contact information and you miss your hearing because of this, we will send your claim for an abandonment hearing. If your claim is abandoned, your claim will not be heard, and you will probably be told to leave Canada. So, you must always keep your contact information up to date.
You may be given refugee protection in Canada if you meet the definition of a
Convention refugee or if you are
a person in need of protection. Here is what the terms mean:
Convention refugee
If you are a Convention refugee, it means you fear returning to your country because you will be harmed for one of these reasons:
-
race: because of the colour of your skin or your ethnicity
-
religion: because of your faith
-
nationality: because of your citizenship or because you belong to a certain ethnic group
-
political opinion: because of your political beliefs or what other people think are your political beliefs
-
membership in a particular social group: because of a personal characteristic you cannot change (for example your gender or sexual orientation)
Person in need of protection
If you are a person in need of protection, it means you would be in danger in your country. This could be because you fear:
- torture
- death or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
See
Interpretation of Convention Refugee and Person in Need of Protection in the Case Law for complete definitions and more details.