Syrian refugees are victims of civil war. Vast majority of them did not plan to leave the country before civil war started and majority of them will return to their homes as soon as war ends. The same way it happened to refugees from Lebanon, former Yugoslavia or Rwanda. That is why Syrian refugees do not want to go to Canada or USA (If my information is correct only 11 000 refugees
agreed to consider move to Canada). So, moving 25 000 people to a temporary home on other side of the planet will be very nice and expensive exercise in futility.
We also have to consider problems that will be created by moving so many people to Canada in such short time:
- there will be an added pressure on healthcare providers and, as a result, increased waiting time for everybody. As far as I know none of the provinces decided to hire additional nurses or doctors or to increase number of beds in the hospitals;
- problems with the social housing. Once again, we don’t have enough affordable homes for low income people who are already in Canada and I didn’t hear that anybody is increasing funding or construction in that area;
- problems with schools and daycare – same reasons as above;
- increased pressure on social assistance, since federal government will give a priority to mothers with kids to come to Canada first it is obvious that vast majority of them will rely on financial assistance from the provinces.
What are my suggestions? To help Syrians where they are – in the Middle East. First, Canada should provide financial help to the countries that are most affected by refugee crisis, to help refugees in their camps (health, education, policing, etc.) Second, Canada should help to end the civil war in Syria by eliminating ISIS and removing Assad from power, so Syrian people can return and start to rebuild their homeland.
I sent this letter today, Dec 13th, 2015 to Ottawa Citizen
