Syrian refugees still face obstacles

Latest city reports say learning English, finding employment are hurdles, but new Canadians are ‘highly motivated’

A year after 1,330 Syrians made Hamilton their new home, the city and its partners are honing in on some of the key issues these refugees continue to face.

Two reports will be presented to the city’s Emergency and Community Services committee on Monday.

They highlight language, employment, housing, dental care and family reunification as major obstacles.

“The focus right now is language,” says Andrea Buttars, manager of resource development at Wesley Urban Ministries, which contributed to the documents.

You can’t get a job if you don’t speak the language, Buttars says.

And you can’t pay the bills without an income.

“It’s not surprising. It’s expected that they would still be learning the language,” she says.

“They are a highly motivated group and they continue to work on their goals.”

Hamilton’s Syrian refugee newcomers

have low levels of English literacy, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee report says.

Being able to quickly complete ESL classes and the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program is critical to how soon many of them can gain financial independence, the report explains.

Right now, 240 Syrian newcomers are on the wait-lists for ESL and LINC classes in Hamilton. Lack of child care is also an issue as parents need that class time.

“Overall, it’s been a success. Their settlement is still ongoing,” Buttars says.

The second report that will be presented to the committee Monday recommends the city ask for more federal funding to recoup the $90,000 it will cost this year to administer Ontario Works to the 190 families expected to need it in “Month 13”.

After 12 months in Canada, refugees who are unable to secure employment may qualify to apply and transition to Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Buttars says it was noted quite quickly when the refugees arrived that many of the adults had dental issues. The reports recommend the city approach the federal ministers of immigration and health to broaden dental coverage to help cover costs of root canals and fillings.

One of the hardest parts of settling in for these refugees, Buttars says, is knowing their parents and relatives are displaced or still back in Syria.

Private community sponsors continue to work to reunite those families.

“They are so pleased to be here,” Buttars says. “But they miss their parents. There is a loss and sadness.”

The Syrian civil war, which broke out in 2011, has reportedly displaced about 11 million people. Canada has resettled 35,745 Syrians in more than 36 communities across the country.

Anyone looking to help, even as a volunteer friend to a Hamilton newcomer, is welcome to contact Wesley Urban Ministries at wesley.ca or by calling 905-528-5629.