Fact check: Refugees getting $82,000 yearly in Canada

1. Summary of the results

The claim that refugees receive $82,000 yearly in Canada is false based on the available evidence. Multiple fact-checking sources directly contradict this figure:

• The Canadian Press found that the average refugee in Canada receives around $1,100 in temporary minimum monthly assistance, which would total approximately $13,200 annually - far below the claimed $82,000 ^[1]
• Another analysis confirmed that monthly aid to refugees is less than the average Canada Pension Plan payment and provided specific monthly aid amounts for different provinces that are significantly lower than what would equal $82,000 per year ^[2]
• The $3,874 figure that appears to be related to this claim was found to be misleading and originated from a photo that circulated in 2017, listing one-time payments for a family of five ^[1]

The only substantial one-time payments mentioned in official sources are for specific groups, such as Gazans arriving in Canada who receive $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child for transitional financial assistance - but this is a one-time payment, not yearly support ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks crucial context about how refugee financial assistance actually works in Canada:

• One-time vs. ongoing payments: The confusion appears to stem from conflating one-time settlement payments with ongoing monthly assistance ^{[1] [3]}
• Family vs. individual amounts: The misleading figures from 2017 represented payments for an entire family of five, not individual refugees ^[1]
• Temporary nature of assistance: The support provided is described as "temporary minimum monthly assistance," indicating it's not permanent income ^[1]
• Recent policy changes: Canada has actually been reducing its commitment to protecting refugees, with 2025 showing decreased refugee protection commitments ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The $82,000 figure appears to be deliberate misinformation that has been circulating for years:

• The Canadian Press specifically identified this as part of misleading posts about refugee support amounts ^[1]
• Another source confirmed this as "misinformation" that "resurfaces" periodically about Canadian aid to refugees ^[2]
• The persistence of this false claim suggests it may be used to inflame anti-refugee sentiment and support for restrictive immigration policies

Political beneficiaries of this misinformation would include politicians and groups advocating for reduced immigration and refugee acceptance, as exaggerated financial figures can generate public opposition to refugee programs. The timing is particularly relevant given recent legislative proposals like Bill C-2 and the Strong Borders Act, which aim to restrict asylum rights ^{[5] [6]}.

The misinformation serves to distort public understanding of actual refugee support costs and may contribute to support for policies that further limit Canada's refugee protection commitments.