Are we giving newcomers enough support to build a new life in Canada?
Many Syrian refugees fled to Canada in the hope of a better life. The challenges are daunting: finding a home, a job, learning a new language ...and a new culture. Are we giving newcomers enough support to build a new life in Canada?
More from this episode:
- VIDEO: How children's choir helps Syrian refugees learn to have fun again
- IN-DEPTH: When government cheques stop, what happens to Syrian refugees?
- RECAP: Who comes first: Syrian refugees or First Nations?
GUESTS | ONLINE CHAT | LINKS AND ARTICLES | DOWNLOAD THE MP3 | SHORT PODCAST
They arrived in Canada fleeing war-ravaged Syria, a conflict that has displaced millions of men, women and children. It was the image of one dead child on a beach that spurred Canadians to action and now we have taken in 31,000 Syrian refugees. Soon the year will be up for the first wave of newcomers and their monthly government cheques will stop. Immigration and settlement workers call it "the crisis of the 13th month."
As the excitement of escaping to a new country fades, how is the transition going? What are the challenges and the joys? Checkup visited one of Canada's most diverse cities, Mississauga, Ont., to find out and hear some of those stories first hand.
Our question today: Are we giving newcomers enough support to build a new life in Canada?
GUESTS
Huda Bukhari, Executive Director, Arab Community Centre, head office in Etobicoke and delivering support services newcomers in Ontario
Marwan Ismail, Executive Director of the Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services
Twitter: @marwanismail
Links & Articles
CBC.ca
- New Brunswick could welcome more Syrian refugees, minister says
- Saint John losing Syrian newcomers to larger cities
- New Brunswick must integrate Syrians or risk departures, group says
- Sponsorship is a huge responsibility says Checkup caller
- Millions worth of free English classes for Syrian refugees going unused (May 2, 2016)
- Federally-funded English language programs facing cuts in B.C. (Mar.7, 2016)
- 5 things to know about Canada's Syrian refugee program (Feb. 29, 2016)
- Nearly half of Syrian refugees lack permanent homes, as Ottawa seeks hotels (Feb. 23, 2016)
- Liberal government fully restores refugee health care program (Feb. 18, 2016)
The Globe and Mail
- Canadians are poised to take in more Syrians. Let's do it
- Influx of Syrian refugees helps drive rise in use of food banks
- Does Canada need more immigrants?
- Beyond government: Private sector joins push to help refugees
- Not enough resources for Syrian refugees in Canada: poll (May 08, 2016)
Huffington Post
- Syrian Refugees Face Tough Competition For 'Survival Jobs' In Calgary
- Canada's Private Refugee Sponsorship Program To Expand Around The World
Canadian Immigrant
- Next wave of Syrian refugees to arrive this fall
- Liberal immigration plan to welcome 300,000, with increased focus on family reunification, less on economic immigrants (Mar. 10, 2016)
Vancouver Sun
- Federal support for English classes lacking, MPs told
- Arrival of second influx of Syrians in Canada will be smoother: immigrant support groups
- Return to school a challenging milestone for Syrian refugees
Calgary Herald
Toronto Star
BBC
- The unique programme that brings refugees to Canada
- Syrian refugees settle into new lives in Canada (Mar. 4, 2016)
Other links
- Canada, UNHCR and Open Society Foundations seek to increase refugee resettlement through private sponsorship
- Syrian refugee families feel welcomed in Mississauga
- Nova Scotia immigration shoots up, along with concerns about settlement funds
- Canadian Council for Refugees - backgrounder on Syrian refugees
- What kind of support do government-assisted refugees get?
- No, Canada doesn't spend more on refugees than on pensioners