If you are a minor (under 18 years of age) and you are not here with a parent or guardian, you might have a “Designated Representative” to help you with your refugee case.
What is a Designated Representative?
You have many rights as a minor in the refugee process. Your Designated Representative is an adult who will make sure that others see, know and respect your rights in this process.
They will be with you and help when you:
What should my Designated Representative do?
If you do not understand something, tell them you do not understand and ask them to explain it to you. They are here for you.
They should sit in on meetings with your lawyer and make sure the lawyer listens to you and understands what you want.
They should also help you to collect evidence for your refugee hearing, including reports and letters from your country that show what happened to you.
They should not do anything without your permission.
You can talk to them about how you are feeling and when you need help.
Important things to know:
Who will be Designated Representative be?
A family member or a friend
You might be in Canada with an extended relative, such as an older sibling or an aunt.
You might also be staying with a community member, or have a family friend who is supporting you. One of these people could be your DR. You can talk to them and to your lawyer about this possibility.
An independent or professional DR
If you do not have a family member, friend or a community member who can be your DR, you might have someone assigned to your case from the Immigration and Refugee Board.
This might be someone who is a social worker or a settlement worker. It might be someone from the Centre for Refugee Children. Or they might be another person with experience being a DR.