Incoming refugees likely staying in the south: Friesen

With an influx of Syrian refugees expected to arrive in BC within the coming weeks, potential landing destinations are being discussed.

Premier Clark made waves when she suggested refugees would be more comfortable in smaller centres, with reports naming Prince George as an ideal place.

But Director of Settlement Services for the Immigrant Services Society of BC Chris Friesen says that isn’t likely.

“A decision was made by the federal government back in 1987 to stop designating outside the lower mainland, and focus all government-assisted refugees in the lower mainland.”

Privately sponsored families will go to whatever place has helped fund their settlement.

While there a definite drawbacks to settling in places like Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby, and New Westminster (fewer jobs, sky-high housing costs), the reality is that necessary resources may not be available in other communities across BC.

“Over 95% of them don’t speak English, two-thirds are experiencing some form of trauma, 35% have children under the age of 19, and they come from a variety of large urban centres in Syria,” explains Friesen. “Are there interpretors? Will their schools have English as an additional language? Does the local health authority have specialized resources for dealing with people who experienced trauma or are survivors of torture? These are the systems that have to be enhanced that aren’t there yet.”

Groups privately sponsoring families have to take these services into account, and are cleared by the government prior to the refugee family arriving.

Friesen says the first 6-12 weeks in a new are critical for the refugees, where they look for housing, open bank accounts, enrol in school, and generally adjust to being in a whole new world.

It’s something he witnesses firsthand through his everyday work.

“They’re absolutely overwhelmed with joy. The fact that after years- sometimes decades- they have finally found safety. They finally found a home. They can begin to rebuild their lives and kickstart their careers, and their children can begin formal education. They want to contribute as quickly as they can to this country.”

He’s spent the past several days involved in an emergency meeting discussing health, housing, and community supports for the future Canadians.

Refugees will be held in temporary reception facilities before heading into the communities where they will settle down.

But have the horrific attacks in Paris increased the heat of the situation?

Following the tragedy, MP Bob Zimmer released a letter calling for a more thorough screening process.

“Given the most recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, many constituents have reached out to me to express their concern with bringing such a large number of refugees into the country in such a short amount of time.” Zimmer wrote “We are concerned that with such a tight timeline, proper and thorough security and health checks will not take place. I am also deeply concerned, along with my constituents, about our ability to assist these refugees once they have arrived in Canada,” Zimmer said in a letter to PM Trudeau and Immigration Minister John McCallum.

“The vast majority of people continue to respond with offers of rooms in their homes, wanting to volunteer, giving us employment leads… By and large, British Columbians are embracing what I’m calling this ‘Canadian National Project.'”

Several northern groups have committed to sponsoring families, with the PG Citizens for Syrian Refugee Support meeting tonight to discuss their next steps.

Nearly 2,500 people are expected to start arriving in BC by early December.