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Iranian Art (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/joe-schlesinger-syrian-refugees-history-1.3346106
Refugees started arriving yesterday at Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau airport. Those who arrived yesterday were privately sponsored but the next group will be government-sponsored refugees.
Canadian planes are picking them up and they will find products they may need at the airport. They will also be given a Social Insurance Number so they can start looking for employment and have access to essential services.
I suspect they will also be seen by medical doctors. To my knowledge this is standard procedure. Some may be ill and most will have suffered from exposure. They will be fragile. Their health is an important issue.
We should also consider that many refugees may not find in Canada as comfortable a lifestyle as they enjoyed before war forced them out of their country. They will be homesick.
Given the recent attacks on Paris, several Canadians oppose the Trudeau government’s willingness to take in refugees. They are afraid some Syrian refugees will be terrorists in disguise. Reticence on the part of Canadians is understandable. Moreover, there are real problems in Canada, such as unemployment and underfunded social programmes. Accepting refugees is difficult, but…
Persian Winged Lion with Ram’s Head (Photo credit: Britannica)[1]
Persian Susa (Photo credit: Flicker)[2]
Consider the Opportunities
There is also a very real possibility that these new Canadians will be helpful to Canada. They are bringing far more than a body to feed. They are bringing fine minds and fresh ideas.
A year or two from now, many will be our doctors and teachers. I hope Canadian universities start offering more courses on the Arabic language and Arabic literature. Canadian entrepreneurs could also establish a rug-making industry. Few Canadians can afford hand-knotted rugs made in Canada, but we have billionaires who might commission a few if they find skilled immigrants. The rest of us will make do with tiny manufactured rugs.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, Air Canada has offered to airlift refugees.
Justin Trudeau may be a dreamer, but however difficult the process may be, Canada is welcoming its Syrian refugees.
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[1] http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-164178/A-winged-lion-with-a-rams-head-decorated-the-palace
Britannica
[2] Flicker
© Micheline Walker
9 December 2015
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Micheline's Blog 
This is a lovely news! I think is very important to greet them with open arms… sometimes (for the skeptical people) is needed to try to feel empathy thinking how myself would feel in their place. My husband and I we have asked to take in our family two orphaned kids but it is awfully difficult here in Switzerland and bureaucracy doesn’t help… unless we don’t speak any arab, but this is the lesser problem. Will see if we will succeed…
Europe is right now overflow with war refugee and among them, unfortunately, there are criminals as the well known after Paris’ Bataclan.
It is wonderful to help people who are fleeing their country, give them a safe place to stay… but as you say, they won’t be able to integrate in another country totally different (not only for the language, food, religion a.s.o. but as well climatic). Maybe the 2nd. or 3th. generation will blend well into the new way of life…
My franc opinion is that we should stop selling weapons and approving in any way the war in these countries (and very few or nobody speaks about the wars in Africa!)… the Big Nations (I’m referring to these countries giving (selling) weapons the one or the other opponent) should stop doing this at once!
Looking forward for some peacefull Hollidays… :-)claudine
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Thank you Claudine,
Of course, we have to welcome them. They are fellow human beings whom life has betrayed. It may not be easy for Canadians to take them in at this point, but their situation is critical. They have been living in a war zone.
I hope you succeed in taking in two children. Bureaucracy is such a problem. I’m glad our refugees will be given their Social Insurance Number upon their arrival. This will allow them to find positions immediately and have access to essential services.
They will also need winter clothes, but I believe this has been organized.
A few may be disguised terrorists, but the police has been doing its work and they need homes and comfort.
You are so right. Who is supplying the Middle East with weapons? There is a war industry, which is absurd. This has to end.
I’m pleased Air Canada can provide planes at the moment and has offered to do so. There is fear, but there is also compassion and generosity.
I’m glad they are arriving. We’ll look after them Claudine. It’s our duty and it should be our pleasure.
I thank you for writing and wish you a fine holiday season. Take care. Micheline 🙂
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