Syrian refugees in Calgary face end of benefits, tough job market

It has been a year since Canada started getting an unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees, with more than 2,000 settling in Calgary alone. This is Part 2 in a five-part series looking at how those refugees are doing a year in and the effects of that influx on their support agencies.

Time is running out for thousands of refugees from Syria to find a job.

Government-assisted and privately-sponsored refugees are set to lose their first year benefits. Their challenge is to find a job in a city with Canada's highest unemployment rate.

"Until now, it's very, very good," says Samira Sabounji, who worked as a teacher in Aleppo.

"But we hope to find job," she adds.

• 'Wild adventure' starts anew as agencies brace for hundreds more Syrian refugees

• A year in Calgary: 3 refugee families, 3 dramatically different stories

Her husband, Anis, is a jewelry maker and ran the family's business until the conflict in Syria made it impossible to continue.

"I lost everything before we came here," says Anis. "You can't work in wartime, especially in jewelry."

The Sabounji family, who represent the Christian minority in Syria, were sponsored by the First Alliance Church and arrived in Calgary in February.

If we've made the commitment to bring people here, then we have an obligation to ensure that we do the best we can to help them succeed- Dr. Gabriel Fabreau, Refugee Health Clinic

They're living in a townhouse in the northwest community of Edgemont with their three children, aged 8, 14 and 20.

The church, like all private and government sponsors, has only committed to covering living expenses for refugees for one year.

But finding a job and becoming self-sufficient is likely going to be extremely difficult.

Calgary's unemployment rate is 10.3 per cent — the highest among major Canadian cities.

Settlement agencies say one of the biggest barriers for refugees is learning one of Canada's official languages.

The Sabounjis are enrolled in English classes, and Anis has made contact with a few local jewelers, but so far that first job remains elusive.

"It's difficult right now in Calgary, because for business it's not good," says Anis.

They'll receive their last support cheque from the church in February.  

Are they worried?

"No," says Anis. "We trust God to help us for everything," adds Samira. 

Big family, big worries 

It's a much more desperate situation for the Alsalamat family, who were sponsored by the federal government, and arrived in Calgary in December 2015.

The financial support they've been receiving is set to end this month.

They're living in a bungalow in the northeast community of Temple. One of their five children has special needs and requires extra help at school. 

Asad, 44, has worked in accounting and construction.

"Yes, I'm worried about it, because I have five kids — it's a big family," he says.

The province has promised language and employment training, along with social assistance, for anyone who needs extra help after their benefits run out. 

Minister of Labour Christina Gray recently told the legislature the provincial government will continue to support the 4,200 refugees who arrived in Alberta since December 2015.

"When the Syrian refugees arrive in Canada, they already have permanent resident status and, like all Albertans, have access to a wide range of employment and training opportunities," Gray said.

'Obligation' to help

Settlement agencies and non-profits that work with newcomers warn that the future could be very bleak if the proper supports aren't in place.

"It would be the same kind of indicators that we see — the lower quality of life, the social isolation, the potential for poverty, homelessness — all of those kinds of issues," says Anila Lee Yuen, CEO of the Centre for Newcomers.

Dr. Gabriel Fabreau, who works with newcomers at the city's Refugee Health Clinic, says social support is "intensely important" for newcomers who are learning the basics, such as finding a pharmacy or a C-Train station, or more importantly — a job.

"Employment is certainly a very important aspect of health, socio-economic status and the ability to provide for your family as opposed to living in poverty," says Fabreau.

Until the newcomers can find work, Fabreau says the federal government should provide ongoing support, even after their benefits run out.

"This is important to me and I'm an advocate. I think if we've made the commitment to bring people here, then we have an obligation to ensure that we do the best we can to help them succeed," said Fabreau.

Alberta has already welcomed 4,200 refugees from Syria this year.

Canada Immigration has said as many as 700 more people are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. 

Uncertain future, unwavering gratitude

Regardless of what the future may hold for the seven members of the Alsalamat family, Asad Alsalamat and his 14-year-old son Adnan say they are grateful to Canada for welcoming his family and keeping them safe.

"Calgary is very nice," he says.  And Calgarians "have a warm heart," he adds.

The Sabounjis are equally grateful.

"Thanks for everything, thanks to government," says Anis.  

"This dream for us, to come to Canada, we can't come to Canada without a sponsor," says Samira. 

"It's good for our children," she says.

"This is now our life for me and for my family," says Anis.