Brenda St. Jean, Executive Relationship Manager of Canada Homestay International (CHI), the homestay provider of the Ottawa International Student Program will act as the custodian for all students requesting custodianship services and the homestay program.
The Parental Consent to Custodianship form to be signed by the parents and notarized will be sent to the parent from the International Student Program office once applications are accepted. The office requires acopy of a notarized Parental Consent to Custodianship form. The original will be required when applying for a visa in the home country.
The original document of Declaration of Custodianship will be made by the custodian in Ottawa and sent to the parent along with the letter of acceptance from the International Student Program office.
The custodian monitors students throughout the school year and provides ongoing support to students. The custodian also meets with students two times per semester and provides a report to the students' natural parents or the representative.
Homestay is the opportunity to experience the comfort and support of a Canadian family interested in making a visiting student feel “at home” in their home. Canada Homestay International’s reputation for quality hosts in major centres across Canada has been earned one host at a time through a careful selection and matching process.
With the aid of homestay guidelines, orientation meetings, safety advisories and tips for successful adaptation to a new environment, we lay the groundwork for each student’s success. In addition, there is an experienced team ready to respond 24 hours a day to support the homestay experience. In the event of an unsuccessful match, a student will be moved at no extra charge.
An additional optional service available to students and their families is same-language Intercultural Support provided in advance of departure, after arrival, and for the duration of the student’s stay, as required. For some families, it is very reassuring to have a contact in Ottawa who speaks their own language, is well-versed in school and homestay issues, and is a part of the school/homestay “team”. Please contact me for details on the languages in which this service is offered and the applicable fees.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you to make Ottawa your home away from home.
Sincerely yours,
Brenda St. Jean
Executive Relationship Manager
Canada Homestay International
Custodians
Minor children who are less than 17 years of age and come to Canada to study without a parent or legal guardian must be cared for by a responsible adult in Canada. This person is known as a custodian. In some cases, a custodian may also be needed for minor children between 17 years of age and the age of majority in the province or territory of the educational institution where they intend to study. This will be at the discretion of an immigration officer.
Custodianship requires that legal arrangements be made to give the custodian in Canada permission to act in place of a parent. Two notarized documents are required. A notarized document is a document that has been certified by a notary.
The first notarized document must be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the minor child in the child’s country of origin. The second notarized document must be signed by the custodian in Canada.
Find standard custodian form letters in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
An immigration officer must be satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for the care and support of minor children who travel to Canada to study.