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A ROAD MAP TO JUSTICE

YOUTH-LED, SYSTEMS CHANGE PROJECT

The Centre for Refugee Children has just completed its first 2 years on a youth-led project to make Canada’s immigration system more responsive to the needs of children and youth.

Refugee and migrant youth in Ontario have created a Theory of Change and Action Plan to address some of the barriers and challenges young people encounter in the immigration system.

Learn more about the project and the important changes that refugee and migrant youth are pushing for.

THEORY OF CHANGE

We believe there is a need to provide unaccompanied and separated children with better support as they navigate Canada’s immigration system. We also believe that it is refugee and migrant youth themselves who must lead this change.

Take a look at how we are getting there:

AR2J Theory of Change Graphic 1

Making Canada’s immigration system and Ontario’s social services systems more responsive to the needs and circumstances of Unaccompanied children and youth

Our Centre’s Youth Leadership Committee has spent two years speaking with refugee and migrant youth on the barriers and challenges they have faced in Canada’s immigration system, as well as barriers they have encountered during their settlement in Ontario. We are proud to support them in identifying changes that are needed, and we look forward to working with partners to implement some of these recommendations in the years ahead.

Recommendations for Canada’s Immigration System Include:

  • Enhancing Access to Critical Information
  • Access to Child-Focused Support at Ports-of-Entry
  • Ensuring Proactive and Supportive Designated Representatives
  • Simplified Eligibility Interviews with Immigration Officials
  • Improved Access to Immigration Documentation
  • A Streamlined and Responsive Legal Aid System for Young People
  • Improved Experiences Legal Representation and Immigration Adjudication
  • Child-Focused and Trauma-Informed Refugee Claim Hearings


Each of these categories identified by refugee and migrant youth include a number of specific and measurable changes to improve Canada’s immigration system. To read the full Action Implementation Plan for Canada’s Immigration System, please click here.

Recommendations for Ontario’s Social Services Systems Include:

  • Access to High Quality Mentorship and Support
  • Refugee-Focused Shelter and Housing Programs
  • Improving Supports for Children in Child Welfare System
  • Enhancing Access and Support from Ontario Works
  • Access to Education and Supportive Integration into Ontario Schools
  • Improving Support for Young People Transitioning to Adulthood


Each of these categories identified by refugee and migrant youth include a number of specific and measurable changes to improve the settlement experience of young people in Ontario. To read the full Action Implementation Plan for Ontario’s Social Services Systems, please click here.

And there’s so much more to come…

With ‘A Roadmap to Justice’ having now completing its research and groundwork phase of the project, our Youth Leadership Committee is excited and motivated to begin the implementation of these recommendations in 2026.

If you know any refugee and migrant youth in Ontario who would like to get involved with the project, or if you are part of an organization that supports refugee and migrant youth and would like to become a partner, please contact the Centre for Refugee Children. We are always excited for new opportunities to collaborate and work together for positive change!