"After extensive consultations, the Government of Canada has decided to eliminate this fee for refugees. Refugees have already faced enormous difficulties and stresses," said Minister Caplan. `By eliminating this fee we help them to get on with their lives and to integrate successfully into Canadian society ."

Specifically, the ROLF is being eliminated for Convention refugees, members of Humanitarian Designated Classes (HDC), dependents eligible for concurrent processing with persons found to be Convention refugees by the Immigration and Refugee Board, people accepted under the PostDetermination Refugee Claimants in Canada (PDRCC) class, and people who are granted landed immigrant status in Canada owing to humanitarian and compassionate considerations including their relationship to a person in one of the aforementioned categories.

At the time of this announcement (16:00 EST, February 28, 2000) people who have not yet been landed will not have to pay the ROLF. Those who have already paid the ROLF will get a refund, while those who took out a government loan to pay the ROLF will have it excused.

The ROLF was introduced in 1995 as part of a government-wide effort to ensure that people who benefit from government programs and services pay a portion of the associated costs. It applies to all new arrivals in Canada including skilled workers, entrepreneurs, business immigrants, investors and members of the family class. Landing in Canada provides these new immigrants with many benefits, including enhanced social and economic opportunities, and extensive integration and settlement services, such as language training and assistance in finding jobs.

The requirement to pay the ROLF remains unchanged for applicants in other immigrant categories. The Right of Landing Fee is fixed at $975 and is payable by people 19 years of age and over, irrespective of the country of origin or the province of destination. The ROLF is refunded if an applicant is not landed.