Monday, January 04, 2016

Why would Syrian refugees not want to come to Canada?

An article on why some Syrian refugees don't want to come to Canada makes interesting reading. At first blush, we Canadians see moving to Canada as a no-brainer (I did it myself). But it seems that at least 70% of Syrians in Jordanian refugee camps contacted by the UN with an offer of relocation to Canada are not interested in taking up the offer.
Some of the reasons given are perhaps reasonable, others not so much. Many who refuse do not want to split up their families still further, or do not want to move so far away from their homeland. Many are just not willing to leave behind their native language and culture, or are expecting to be able to move back to their Syrian homes soon, when the civil war ends. Some, mainly the less well-educated, just don't feel they will ever be able to learn a new language, or earn enough to support a family. Some prefer the poverty and squalor of the refugee camps, where they are at least surrounded by fellow-Arabs, to a life of relative comfort in an unknown and possibly hostile land. Often, the prospect of losing the UN food aid and cash assistance they receive in refugee camps (about the equivalent of $290/month) is enough to dissuade them from trying to move. Some even doubt Canada's commitment to the resettled refugees, and worry about a possible backlash.
Most of those that are accepting the move are the better educated and informed, who see an opportunity for their children to be safe and to better themselves, even if they themselves may have a hard time adjusting.
Essentially, the main obstacle is fear of change, fear of the unknown. I can kind of understand that, except that change has already happened. Their homeland is in turmoil, and it will not be resolved any time soon. Life in the refugee camps is unremittingly grim, and I find it hard to get my head around the idea that some people are choosing that life over a life of relative freedom and comfort in Canada (even if the temperature did just drop to -13°C). When all is said and done, beggars can't be choosers, can they?
So, it occurs to me that, rather than selecting refugees from the Jordanian refugee camps, maybe we should be offering places to those who are trekking across Europe in search of a life in the West. These people are also suffering from harsh conditions, especially as winter sets in. But, unlike many in the camps, they have shown a commitment to leaving and starting afresh, a vigorousness and get-up-and-go spirit, maybe even a level of desperation, that would make them good immigrants who are more likely to make a positive contribution to Canadian society.
Obviously, we can't force people to come here against their will. But maybe some of those Syrians making their hazardous way across the Balkans and central Europe might make better citizens than those who are stuck in refugee camps.

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