Evidence of meeting #20 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was support.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Continuing on with the Calgary Board of Education, in terms of recommendations, what we've heard is that there needs to be more of a coordinated response. I've had some feedback from colleagues saying the minister has indicated that education is a provincial matter.
While this is true, do you feel that, given the volume and complexity of meeting the needs of Syrian refugees, there might need to be an additional response provided or some sort of special programming in order for you to meet the needs of these students that are coming to Calgary?
Chair, School District 19, Calgary Board of Education
We believe that when the federal government makes a decision to bring in refugees, it needs to be a collaborative experience between not only the province but also the federal government. School boards are required to take students, but we need support.
While we open our doors to all of the students that have arrived, it is a significant financial burden on our system. We have identified it. It's $2.6 million to date that we have had to adjust and make allowances within our own budget, so we can ensure that each one of these students is supported.
It's necessary for us to have a collaborative effort between all levels of government to ensure the success of these refugee students and all refugees when they enter our country.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
My final question would be, if I have time, for Mr. Sawaf.
You said in your opening remarks that these refugees are just being left alone. Can you or your colleague describe what that means to the community in terms of prospects for integration into the Canadian economy or any other challenges that refugees might be facing? What does being left alone mean in real terms?
As an Individual
It means, literally, left alone. Basically, they're out of the hotel into their housing, and just being left alone. Basically, nobody is telling them what the next step would be. Do I register for school first? Do I look for a family doctor first? Do I get to know the area first? What do I do?
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
In terms of recommendations, because that's what we're really trying to derive out of the study, what would you recommend to bridge that gap? What could be done?
As an Individual
To actually fund? Maybe new agencies. I don't want to discredit any other agency, but maybe give opportunity to people in the community to give back to the community; people that are qualified; people that can relate and can actually help them settle, and make the integration process easier and faster.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Are there any specific examples that you could think of, such as how the federal government could provide that type of service?
As an Individual
By funding a new agency, because if they're going to keep funding the same thing over and over, you're going to keep having the same issues over and over.
I know most of the reasoning is going to be manpower, that we weren't expecting this many refugees, but I think that the funding is there. Perhaps giving it to more qualified people or people that can actually provide a service for these refugees. Maybe develop a program for Syrian refugees, a temporary program, I guess. If you provide a service for them, maybe make them more—
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much.
Just to finish that thought, Mr. Sawaf, you mentioned funding new agencies. Are you suggesting, for example, individuals who are refugees themselves, who have travelled the journey, who are now volunteering, who are not attached to an agency the government has been funding, and who are therefore doing their work all on their own? Are you suggesting, then, that new organizations, which haven't received government funding before, access government funds to be able to coordinate and provide support to refugees?
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Okay, thank you.
Ms. Allhalaq, I want to get a better understanding of your story. I'll ask each question, step by step, so that we can get an understanding of what you're experiencing.
First of all, can you tell us how long you were in a hotel when you first arrived in Canada?
As an Individual
The ISS was looking for it, but for two months they could not find it. Then we found it in the area. More than 10 families who lived in the same complex had the same situation.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Did a volunteer come and help you find the housing on your own, then?
As an Individual
No. They were looking for people, but basically they told us, “You're on a waiting list; 40 families have come to the hotel, so just wait until your turn comes up.” There was too much waiting. We wanted to register our kids at school and to utilize the time for learning, for the benefit of ourselves and our kids.
NDP
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
You mentioned in your presentation that there were some issues around your health. Can you tell us what your health issues are and what your experience has been in trying to access health care?
As an Individual
When I was in the hotel, I told them I had a condition and I needed to go and see the doctor. They sent me to the doctor. They provided a car. There was a translator present. For the second appointment, the ISS brought the interpreter, but they said to me that I would have to find my way back to the hotel. I told them that if I stepped outside of the building into the street, I couldn't go on my own, and asked them to please wait for me. Finally she accompanied me.
I go to different places on my own. Most of the time there are no interpreters. When I call the different organizations, like DIVERSEcity and those agencies that initially had the intake process for us, and say that I have a hospital appointment and need an interpreter, I'm told I have to give them one month's notice. The problem is that I know of the appointment just a couple of days ahead of time, so I cannot give them one month's notice. This is the kind of suffering I have to go through.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
It is my understanding that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Is that correct?
