FCJ Refugee Centre

Join us for our next Access to Education webinar! WHO IS EXEMPT FROM INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FEES AT POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION LEVELS?

We will discuss the "Tuition Fees for International Students" section of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Tuition and Ancillary Fees Reporting Operating Procedure.

This online session will give an informative breakdown of the different immigration statuses that are eligible for exemption of international student fees.

We will have a downloadable handout that will be available after the webinar for easy usable access.

🗓️ DATE: JUNE 18
🕓 TIME: 4:00 pm
🔗 REGISTER:
https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/events/webinar-who-is-exempt-from-international-student-fees-at-post-secondary-education-levels/

Thank you so much to Foresters Financial for their generous donation of food and toiletries for men and women to FCJ Refugee Centre. We had the opportunity to attend a great event they organized, in which we provided insight into who we are and what we do and how we support precarious migrants, refugees and people in need. The event also included a powerful presentation on unconscious bias, systemic inequality, and how these experiences can impact people universally and disproportionately. The discussion explored how we can challenge these issues both individually and on a larger community scale.

Thank you everybody for passing by our stand at Toronto Newcomer Day! We really hope we could help! And remember, it's always Newcomer Day at the FCJ Refugee Centre 😊 Our door is open!

It's Toronto Newcomer Day! Join us at Nathan Phillips Square in welcoming and celebrating newcomers! This event provides a fun way for newcomers to set up in their new city while enjoying festivities that showcase Toronto’s diversity. All are welcome and admission is free. We'll be here, in booth 97, until 3 pm. Come say hi!!

TORONTO REFUGEE LAWYERS SEE CLIENTS ‘PANICKING’ AS NEW FEDERAL LAW LIMITS ASYLUM CLAIMS | By Kate McGillivray, CBC News

"Nearly two months after the Canadian government passed a new law limiting how and when refugee claimants can apply for asylum, some Toronto lawyers say they’re seeing the results in their offices — and mobilizing to challenge the law in federal court.

"'We’ve been seeing a ton of now-ineligible refugee claimants come to our centre seeking help,' said Joshua Eisen, in-house lawyer at the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto. 'People are very panicked, very, very anxious.' […]"

🔗 Find the link to read the whole article here:
https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/2026/05/toronto-refugee-lawyers-see-clients-panicking-as-new-federal-law-limits-asylum-claims/

You can now read our Spring newsletter, an edition packed with information, proposals, and photos! Inside, you will find in-depth articles on the recent cuts approved for refugee healthcare coverage, and on the changes and restrictions introduced by the new Bill C-12 in Canada’s refugee system.

➡️ Read it here: https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/2026/05/our-spring-2026-newsletter-is-ready/

This issue also features an extensive review of everything we have been doing over the past few months, including the event on labour exploitation organized by the FCJ Refugee Centre’s Anti-Human Trafficking team, and the launch of our new podcast series, 'Permission to Exploit.'

You will also find updates on the latest workshops for migrant women, the end-of-term recital by the children in the music classes, the activities of the Youth Network… And, of course, you can also take a look at everything we have lined up, with major activities and events just around the corner (did you know, for example, that you can already buy your ticket for the FCJ Refugee Centre’s 35th Anniversary Gala Dinner? Don’t wait!). All of this is accompanied by photo galleries, testimonials, and much more.

Don’t miss it!

As the world comes together for the 2026 World Cup, we bring that energy off the pitch and to the table!

World in a Bowl is a communal, family-style dining experience that takes place on June 16th, 2026 at La Palette restaurant in Toronto. Bringing 30 guests together around one table, the evening celebrates connection, culture and storytelling. Inspired by the countries playing for the cup that day, Chef Diego and collaborators have created a menu that fuses the culinary traditions of 🇸🇳 Senegal and 🇫🇷 France.

Beyond the table, World in a Bowl is about impact. On the occasion of World Refugee Day (June 20), all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the FCJ Refugee Centre, funding sports activities and equipment for refugee and newcomer children and youth in Toronto.

For more information and to reserve your seat:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/world-in-a-bowl

📍La Palette: 492 Queen St W
🗓️ Tue June 16, 6:30 PM

Join us for our next workshop for migrant women! Facilitated by community artist Carolina Gajardo, the 'Rock Painting Workshop: Create, Connect and Heal' invites migrant women to come together in a safe and supportive space to explore art as a tool for healing, empowerment, creativity, and self-expression.

Through the simple and beautiful act of painting rocks, we will create meaningful pieces while making space for connection, reflection, and community. Art can transform ordinary objects into something unique — and remind us of our own resilience and strength.

No artistic experience is needed — just come as you are and allow yourself a moment to create.

📅 When: Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: FCJ Refugee Centre (208 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto, M6E 2V4)
🗣️ Language: English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation
🎨 Materials: All painting materials will be provided
🪨 We would greatly appreciate it if participants could bring a few clean, washed rocks to paint (optional).
✨ Experience: No previous art experience needed — just come as you are!

Spaces are limited — register by emailing [email protected].