One year of support for refugees not enough: committee

Refugees need more than a year of government support to ensure successful resettlement in Hamilton, says a report from the mayor’s advisory committee on Syrian newcomers.

The committee of dozens of agencies and community stakeholders formed last year during the height of the influx of 1,700 former Syrian residents who have fled civil war to settle in Hamilton since late 2015.

The committee has submitted a list of recommendations to guide future resettlement efforts.

A sample: ongoing city government involvement, better support for private sponsorship efforts, education for refugees about rights and privileges under Canadian law, better information sharing and longer-lived funding support.

The committee urges more advocacy for government funding that lasts beyond a year because “a successful resettlement experience is a long journey,” says the report presented to councillors Wednesday.

Government-funded support for refugees typically extends a year after arrival, when newcomers are then expected to have found jobs and permanent housing.

But the committee report says “critical needs ... linger” for many newcomers when it comes to affordable housing, employment and health services.

The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council is being tapped to spearhead implementation and tracking of the recommendations, with an annual report coming to council each spring.