Ads Up Canada Refugee Network

Ads Up Canada Refugee Network (Business Registration Number: 737112334RR0001) is a Toronto-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting refugees who have been detained in Australian offshore detention facilities, specifically on Manus Island and Nauru, to resettle in Canada. Established in 2019 and formally registered in 2020, the organization mobilizes Australians living in Canada and Canadian citizens to provide an alternative pathway and durable solutions for these refugees.[3][1]

Nomenclature

The name "Ads Up" is a contraction of "Australian Diaspora Steps Up," reflecting the organization's roots in the Australian expatriate community supporting refugees.[3]

Mission and Purpose

The core mission of Ads Up Canada is to support refugees indefinitely detained by the Australian government by facilitating their resettlement in Canada. The organization focuses particularly on helping those held in offshore detention on Manus Island (Papua New Guinea) and Nauru Island.[3][2]

Activities and Programs

Ads Up Canada collaborates closely with Canadian organizations such as MOSAIC and Australian groups including the Refugee Council of Australia. Together, they operate Operation #NotForgotten, a program designed to use Canada’s private sponsorship of refugees program to bring detained refugees to Canada for resettlement.[3][5]

Operation #NotForgotten began fundraising efforts in August 2019 and has successfully facilitated the resettlement of dozens of refugees along with family reunifications. As of late 2024:

• Over AU$4.9 million has been raised in Australia to support the initiative.
• 97 refugees have been resettled in Canada, including 74 formerly detained on Manus and Nauru and 23 family members reunited after being separated for more than a decade.
• Applications for an additional 27 refugees are under consideration by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with family reunification efforts underway for 73 separated relatives.
• Volunteer and staff teams in British Columbia and Ontario assist refugees upon arrival, supporting them with settlement and integration into Canadian society.[5]

Support and Partnerships

The Government of Canada supports Ads Up Canada’s efforts, recognizing the important role of private sponsorship in refugee resettlement. The organization also raises funds to ensure refugees have sufficient financial support during their first year in Canada, a critical period before they become eligible for provincial income support programs.[3][5]

Headquarters

Ads Up Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[3]

Ads Up Canada continues to contribute significantly to the global refugee resettlement landscape by providing practical and compassionate support to some of the world’s most vulnerable displaced persons, enabling new beginnings in Canada for those seeking safety and family reunion.