Saskatoon man pushes Ottawa to allow more refugees
Abdul Salam Dakouri trying to bring over Syrian family members
A Saskatoon man watching the refugee crisis unfold across Europe wants the Canadian government to let more Syrian refugees into Canada before harm comes to more people.
Abdul Salam Dakouri spoke at a rally held in Saskatoon on Sunday, encouraging the Canadian government to increase the number of Syrian refugees who can come to Canada right now.
Dakouri and his wife came to Canada from Syria as students seven years ago. He now has permanent resident status, and has been in Saskatoon for one year. He's still in touch with many relatives, both those inside Syria, as well as those who have fled to nearby countries.
"I hear from people that are in terrible situations," he said, noting that the refugee camps in countries such as Jordan are difficult to endure.
"They need help, they need protection," he said.
Dakouri has a brother in Turkey who fled Syria because he didn't want to join the army. He is trying to bring him to Canada through a private sponsorship, but needs to raise money to pay for it.
He said he knows of two cousins who made it to Germany by using human smugglers.
'What is the difference between Germany and Canada?'
Dakouri said he wants to see Canada absorb more refugees the way Germany has.
"What is the difference between Germany and Canada? Do you think Germany doesn't want safety for its people?"
He said the current targets and timelines of two to three years to bring in more refugees is too long.
"If the Canadian government doesn't help the refugees, they will die one after another," he said.