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Hero complex
After a rocky start in late 2015, the federal government’s promise to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada is well underway. Though opinions on this effort—along with an understanding of both the definition of refugees and the Syrian conflict—vary, one conclusion seems inevitable: unforeseen problems will emerge.
Earlier this week, an article published by CBC lamented the poor welcome Syrian refugees have experienced upon entering Canada. Hundreds of families have been packed into budget hotels in Toronto while an overly taxed system with too few volunteers and case workers try to help them settle.
The writer seemed well-meaning, sympathizing with a group of people who do not know the language or how to access services or work, and who are unfamiliar with Canada’s climate and social environment. Some were even quoted as saying they would prefer to return to the refugee camps surrounding their homeland rather than stay in this country, but were turned down by Canadian officials.
If the comments on the article are any indication, Canadians do not appreciate the sentiment. The feeling, generally, is that these refugees should be grateful for being rescued and if they would rather be in a war zone, they are welcome to return.
It’s not a surprising reaction. Even those who disagreed with the government’s commitment, or at least the timeframe set for it, might feel that if Canadian money and labour is going into bringing refugees to Canada, these refugees should be indebted to Canadians for their benevolence.
Not overtly, of course. But it’s not uncommon to get the sense, when we do a good deed that goes unappreciated, that we have been wronged.
But the people we are rescuing are not victims. They are people. They are people who once had lives, homes, careers and friends and family lost to a conflict that seems to be causing the implosion of their homeland. They are people with their own cultures, religions, languages, styles and ideas.
With groups like PEC Syria sponsoring and facilitating the migration of some refugee families, there are the lucky ones who either have a family already here or find one in the communities that support them. And even that doesn’t always proceed as planned.
But for those brought in by the government, with little information or support, the only family they will find is likely just as scared and lost as they are.
Our immigration system is imperfect, and with an effort such as this, the flaws shine through. Refugees languishing in camps around the world are watching the Syrians move ahead in line—the average wait time at a refugee camp is 18 years and the Syrian crisis began in 2011—to relieve pressure on Europe.
Refugees in Canada whose cases are delayed while they are interred in grey motels can build resentment. And when their troubles are relayed to the Canadian public we, too, start to build resentment.
It’s doubtful those problems will be fixed before the last of the 25,000 Syrians arrive in Canada. But in the meantime, we can keep in mind this group of people is just that: people. And empathize.
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