Created by Ottawa-based Capital Rainbow Refuge, the Queer Refugee Hearings Program (QRHP) Toolkit aims to “assist individuals claiming refugee protection based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) by:

1.  Learning about the refugee claim process in Canada based on SOGIESC;
2. Writing a complete and correct narrative about their life experiences;
3. Collecting evidence that may best support their claims; and
4. Addressing common misunderstandings about SOGIESC refugee claims in Canada.”

The QRHP Toolkit is available in Word format. You can download the complete Toolkit, or specific sections. Capital Rainbow Refuge has also created an online version. The Interactive Online QRHP Toolkit is available on a safe and secure online platform. Some of the features in the online version include:

• questions adjusted based on claimants’ answers;
• an auto-generated draft evidence list;
• typing or leaving voice recordings as answers;
• e-mailing the questionnaire to counsel or settlement workers for further review.

The QRHP Toolkit provides legal information on the refugee claim process for individuals with different sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics in Canada. However, it should not be considered legal advice. Capital Rainbow Refuge suggests “It is always important to hire a good lawyer to advise you on the strong and weak parts of your refugee claim, to review your questionnaire answers, to prepare and review your evidence and Basis of Claim, and to prepare you to answer questions at your eventual hearing, among other responsibilities.”

If you do not have a lawyer, you can find information about provincial Legal Aid offices, and other helpful community legal and support organizations in Section 6 of the Toolkit called Resources.

The QRHP Toolkit is free and available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.