The Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council has officially dissolved.

RIAC released a statement early this morning stating that after more than 30 years, much soul searching and consultation with stakeholders “it was a matter of numbers, not a matter of will” that lead them to this difficult decision.

RIAC says that a lack of restrictions made them effective at dealing with the kinds of edge cases that no one ever expects to encounter and that their dedication to edge cases was what made their position in the community so important.

The statement also said that it was this exact dedication to edge cases that made it impossible to secure formal funding and required RIAC to depend on the contributions of individuals.

RIAC says that they will continue to finish the financial, reporting and contract obligations as fast as possible with the remaining team of one.

RIAC Executive Director, Jose Rivera says he would like to thank Newfoundland and Labrador for being his home and giving him the chance to pay back the community and for the opportunity and safety that Rivera and his family received.