Kamloops Immigrant Services hosted a lively panel discussion, as part of an all-day event titled Welcoming Syrians to Kamloops. Over 100 people attended the discussion.
Kamloops Imam Mazhar Mahmood, Human Rights Lawyer Bill Sundhu, Kamloops Islamic Association Faisal Siddiqui, R.A.F.T. member Martha Ashbaugh and Executive Director of Kamloops Immigrant Services Paul Lagace were all a part of the discussion moderated by Diversity and Outreach Coordinator for Kamloops Immigrant Services, Graham Specht.
The question of what the local community can do to help topped the list, with many panelists saying the Kamloops community has been extremely generous so far but there are still areas of need.
“We continue to fundraise. The more money we can fundraise the better the chance we can bring more families here. That’s from around the world, not just from Syria,” said Ashbaugh. She also made a request for one set of bunkbeds to accommodate the family that will be arriving.
The discussion quickly shifted to dispelling fears surrounding the addition of 25,000 Syrians to Canada and our local communities.
Sundhu began by explaining how refugees are allowed access into Canada, and supported the lengthy vetting process conducted by the United Nations and the federal government.
“The Syrian refugees have been in, I’ll say, refugee camps for the past one, two or three years, sometimes as long as four years. These are not the refugees, or the migrants, that have crossed into Greece and into Europe. They have been vetted by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, that’s the first step. Once they meet the criteria there then that is referred to the Canadian government and they are interviewed, including a security clearance in the Middle East,” said Sundhu. “The third stage is, when they come to Canada they are also screened.”
Executive Director of Kamloops Immigrant Services, also wanted to put concerns to rest surrounding a strain on health and community resources.
“This is not a case of resetting priorities, particularly in health. I’ve heard this a couple of times where people suggested that ‘oh the refugees are coming so we’re going to get bumped off the wait lists’ that is not going to happen. The system is in place to provide for that support without having to bump people,” said Lagace.
Imam Mazhar Mahmood brought the discussion to a close with a warming note.
“They will be great assets to Kamloops. There will be great doctors, teachers, and lawyers amongst them that will benefit our society that will benefit individuals in our community as well. This will be a great picture for Kamloops, this will be a great achievement for Kamloops as well.” said Mahmood.
