There is a popular television program that can be seen by many Canadians that seeks to dispel urban myths.

These are generally stories that upon investigation are seldom consistent with the actual evidence. Such is the case with regard to one that has been circulating on the internet for about four years now and may have as its headline, “Do not collect Old Age Pension but apply as a refugee.”  It seems like I get about three or four of these emails a month from concerned constituents who believe Canadian Pensioners are getting short-changed.

It all got started with a story published in the Toronto Star back in 2004. Basically the story, first published and later retracted by The Star alleged that people who came to Canada as refugees received an allowance $1890 a month plus a social assistance payment of $580 a month for a total of $2470 a month. This it was suggested was unfair to seniors who receive just $1012 a month in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.

So, here are the facts: In the case of refugees who have been resettled in Canada as permanent residents, Citizenship and Immigration Canada does provide financial assistance under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) to a limited number of government-assisted refugees each year.

This is a one-time “start-up” contribution of $1890 for single persons that includes money for basic used furniture and household items, in addition to funds for the first month’s rent, food and incidentals.

Subsequent monthly RAP allowances are parallel to monthly provincial social assistance rates (e.g. $580 for a single person in Ontario).  The newcomer will continue to receive the RAP contribution for another 11 months, or until he or she becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first.

And it is important to note that while government-assisted refugees are in receipt of benefits under the RAP, they are not entitled to income support under provincial social assistance programs such as Ontario Works. This means the total monthly payment is no more than $580 a month after the first month and not the $2470 as was alleged.

In its retraction dated April 18th, 2004 The Star’s Ombudsman wrote, “Although many mistakes are caught, the occasional doozer gets through. That was definitely the case here.”

So if you have received this urban myth in your email box, I trust the additional information detailed here has now set the record straight. If you would like a copy of the entire story published by Star, feel free to drop me an email and I would be more than happy to send it to you.

Bev Shipley M.P.