(Newswire.net — December 23, 2015) — Canada made international headlines late last week as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many other high profile Canadian politicianswere on hand at Pearson International Airport in Toronto to welcome the first government plane load of Syrian refugees. The Prime Minister welcomed the newcomers with his warm smile and Canadian spirit, even posing for selfies and helping children try on their new winter clothing.
The 163 refugees aboard the flight were only part of a larger influx of Syrians that began arriving in late November. Earlier this fall, Prime Minister Trudeau promised to bring10,000 refugees to Canada before the year’s end.
While the warm arrival in Toronto was broadcast around the world, other Canadian cities have also opened their arms to welcome those fleeing the war-torn country. Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city, is one of seven cities in Alberta keen to teach Syrians about life on the Canadian prairie.
The city of Edmonton has even created a website to help educate Edmontonians about their new neighbours and to act as a resource to the city’s latest arrivals. “The City’s role is to support the coordination efforts of our community groups and we have created this online hub for Edmontonians to learn more about our city’s newest residents and how to help,”reads the welcome page on the website.
The plight of those who have been left with next to nothing has helped to rally and inspire the generous nature and resilient attitude attributed to Canadian prairie dwellers. “I’m proud of the many Edmontonians that have come forward and stated their willingness to help those in need,” Edmonton mayor Don Iveson wrote in a statement. “They know Edmonton is not just for Edmontonians; it is a city open to our brothers and sisters from around the world, it is an Edmonton for all.”
To ensure that refugees are seamlessly integrated into Edmonton life, a variety of charities, organizations, groups and individuals have come together to facilitate the transition. The Edmonton Catholic Social Services is compiling and coordinating lists of landlords who are willing to rent out a residence or residences to incoming refugees in Edmonton and neighbouring Red Deer.
In true Canadian fashion, all religious groups in the city have come together to make sure the newest Canadians feel right at home. The Edmonton Mennonite Association is collecting funds to sponsor and support refugee families; the Islamic Family Social Services is collecting clothing; and the Catholic Social Services is registering and delegating volunteers.
It is a true community-wide effort.
Individual Edmontonians have also risen to the occasion and are doing all they can to make Edmonton the new home for those affected by the war in Syria.
Mohsin Zaman, a singer/songwriter who migrated to Canada from Egypt, has written a song welcoming the refugees.
Dan White, CEO and president of Symmetry Asset Management Inc., is extremely proud of how Edmontonians have opened their homes and hearts to those arriving in the height of the holiday season. “I wholeheartedly support the role Canada is playing in bringing Syrian refugees into this country,” Edmonton’s Dan White comments. “At Symmetry Asset Management, we have a strong sense of humanitarianism and are eager to share in our commitment in helping to settle Syrian refugees in their new homes here in Canada.”
Dan White and other Edmontonians who are front and center in greeting the newcomers understand that those arriving may have a hard time adjusting to life in Canada. “The city is offering supports in terms of mental health care and counselling to ensure the transition is a smooth as possible,” adds White.