Syrian Refugees: A New Life in Canada

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by michelinewalker in Canada, Middle East

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Montreal Mayor Coderre, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Prime Minister Trudeau, Quebec Premier Couillard, Syrian Refuges, Syrians Montreal, Syrians Toronto, The Middle East

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre helps a newly-arrived Syrian refugee with a pair of winter boots at Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau international airport, on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Newly-arrived Syrian refugee Samer Beylouneh, left, wipes a tear as his daughter Laila is greeted by her aunt Marie Belona, centre, at a welcome centre, in Montreal, on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. The family, originally from Aleppo, has been reunited after eight years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/syrian-refugees-arrive-at-trudeau-airport-for-start-of-long-resettlement-process

http://snewsi.com/Globe+and+Mail/tag/Syrian+Refugees

A Rescue Operation

A third plane transporting Syrian refugees landed in Montreal yesterday, 12 December 2015. Some refugees have family in Canada whom they haven’t seen for some years. Also greeting Syrians refugees are Syrians who moved to Canada at an earlier date in the Syrian Civil War.

Victims

There hasn’t been a worse humanitarian crisis, since WWII. The number of victims is now higher than 5,000,000 (five million). So despite the difficulties Canadians are experiencing, we have to open our doors to fellow human beings. We also have to fight war and terrorism. The two are somewhat different.

Risks?

One shouldn’t worry unnecessarily. Isis is not moving to Canada nor are rebel factions. As I wrote earlier, Canada does not issue official documents, a Social Insurance Number and a Health Insurance Card, to people who have not been identified. The real risk is that the refugees may not be able to adapt to new circumstances. We may fail them.

Fighting Terrorism

There have been strikes against Isis and the process has not ended. But by taking refugees, I hope we are sending a clear message. We are not allowing Isis to kill people. Canada’s only engagement at the moment is of a humanitarian nature. Our fighter jets have been removed. Canada’s military is now involved in picking up refugees and flying them out to safety.

By picking up victims, we are frustrating Isis. They cannot kill the persons we are removing. Nations taking in refugees are depriving Isis of a target. Let’s continue to take the target away.

But let us also tell the countries of the Middle East that no one is better equipped to fight extremism in the Middle East than the countries of the Middle East themselves.

Quebec Premier Dr Couillard welcoming refugees

Quebec Premier Dr Philippe Couillard

This picture shows Quebec Premier Dr Philippe Couillard at the Montreal airport. All refugees will be provided with medical care immediately. Quebec Premier Dr Philippe Couillard is sponsoring a Syrian family personally.

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Syrians arriving in Toronto

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by michelinewalker in Middle East, Terrorism

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A Humanitarian Crisis

Loved ones reconnect in Toronto on Friday morning after 163 Syrian refugees arrived in Toronto late Thursday night. Among the newcomers are a music teacher, a pharmacist, a taxi driver, a trained violinist and a little girl excited for English classes

A second group of Syrian refugees arrived in Toronto on late Thursday night. They were sponsored by Canada’s Armenian community.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at the airport greeting everyone. It was extremely touching.

All very given their Social Insurance Number card as well as their Health Insurance Card. It would have been impossible for them to get these cards had there been doubts about their integrity.

They were also provided with parkas and other winter clothing as well as diapers for babies, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other necessities. How could they buy these? All had rooms and homes to go to. Their arrival is therefore thoroughly organized.

The Canada Council (funding for the arts) made a large donation so newcomers could attend concerts and other cultural events in the spring. This will ease their integration into a new community.

They have lost their home and have lived in a divided country for several years, so fate has not been kind to them. They need support.

Another chartered plane is arriving in Montreal today.

As I expected their is talent among the Syrian refugees.

There are, of course, unhappy Canadians, but fewer than a month ago, when Paris was attacked.

What we must remember is that this is a humanitarian crisis nearing the proportion of the Holocaust. We must be good to our fellow humans.

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