B.C. Preps for Syrian Refugees
Vancouver, B.C.- Although B.C. already settles about 1500 refugees a year, Premier Christy Clark says the Province will still need to prepare for the Syrian refugees who will be heading to Canada. “We’re going to need to make sure that the counselling and support is there for those who need it.”
“The quantum will be bigger, if it’s 35 hundred people over the next few months , we’re going to need to make sure those trained professionals are distributed in the right location and that takes a lot of work.” Premier Clark says the numbers haven’t been confirmed yet “3500 is the notional number we’ve been working with, we’ll if that’s where we land.”
We will work with the Federal Government on al l the details” says Clark ” We hope they will make sure they have the funds in place to ensure every refugee who settles has the strongest possible chance of success in our province.”
She says the focus shouldn’t be just to settle in Vancouver which has the highest housing costs in B.C. “But all across the province, where they will be welcomed in communities and have the chance to find skilled, meaningful work and become part of our economy as soon as they can.”
The Province has set aside a million dollars to assist refugees, but Clark reiterates that refugee settlement is a federal responsibility “none the less, we are kicking in money to make sure that it works. The Federal Government has that responsibility says Clark “Our hope is they (federal Government) intend to step up to ensure these refugees are as successful as possible when they land.”
Premier Clark says the Province will offer support “We will be funding those children at school, naturally. We will be supporting them as they transition into the workforce with child care support and MSP support, but our hope is, as it is for all British Columbians, that they will be able to move into the workforce, find jobs as soon as possible and live the kind of fulfilling lives with dignity that getting a job gives you.”
The federal government announced yesterday it was revising it’s timeline for the acceptance of Syrian refugees, with 10 thousand expected to arrive by the end of this year, and another 15 thousand by the end of February. Initially the Government had pledged to have 25 thousand refugees in Canada by the end of this year.
Just last evening, School District 57 noted that the Syrian refugee issue is “on the radar” as any potential students will have been missed by the enrolment funding deadline .
Comments
I hope we see some settled in our city!
PG is a great choice for settlement. We have had stagnant population growth in Prince George, and we have the support services available in our community to help with the barriers of moving to a new country. In addition, we have a reasonable cost of living, maximizing their chance for success. Sure, it costs money up front to bring people into Canada, but ultimately it will be a boost to economic activity as they find jobs and contribute to our tax base.
So, first, yeah, I hope we get some too – based on the assumption it’s women, children and families.
But this brings up a big question in my mind. I think we can take it as a given that these people have been through hell getting here. They’ve likely been physically abused, emotionally abused, literally run through the wringer. So, the government has this plan that will take this broken people, fix them, and they’ll become productive members of society.
We already have a group of people in this country, who were physically and mentally abused, and in spite of billions of dollars, have not been very successful in integrating and becoming productive members of society. So, why do we expect to be successful with the Syrians when we’ve failed so miserably with those who are already here. If we are successful with the Syrians, who arguably have been severely damaged, why can’t this other group, similarly damaged, not succeed in spite of the hurt inflicted upon them?
You raise some really good points, ski51. I don’t have ready answers, but one thing in particular (I think) is rally important when looking at different demographic groups: history. Those groups who have undergone severe trauma as with many Syrians, have a very recent history of strong family units and family support networks. Syrians have also had educational and professional opportunities. So up until five or so years ago (i.e., in adult memory) are going to be a great help as resettlement takes place. Other groups with family units having been destroyed, lack of educational or economic opportunities, all of that reinforced for generations, are in a whole different situation.
Well I just hope the best for them. Undoubtedly there will be some who really want to make a fresh start and get on with their lives and others perhaps may be saddled with overwhelming grief and despair for awhile. I hope those ones are the ones who get more attention and help.
The communities wherein they reside can be a great help in those cases, making them feel welcome and extending their friendship to them.
Child poverty just went from 1 in 5 to 1 in 4. Come join the poverty train.
Guessing the -10 next to my comments speaks to the level of ignorance of some residence. What are you concerned about? Terror in our backyard? These are the lowest risk individuals.
Worried about the cost? I would love to see how many immigrants are standing in line for their welfare cheque? Not many.
What if Canada was being attacked and we were displaced? Sad so many have it so good, they can’t have an ounce of empathy.
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