CORNWALL, Ontario – The Dundas Refugee Support Network is one of three local groups hoping to welcome refugees to rural areas. Moira Law, who is the group’s chair, say that while the community is anxiously awaiting the family’s arrival, the wait will likely be longer than originally anticipated.
“We’re really in a situation where we’re stuck,” said Law. “We’ve done all the paperwork, but they’re still in Egypt, and we’re waiting.”
The family, who are registered Syrian refugees currently are currently living in Egypt due to work permits. Having been recommended by a mosque in Barrhaven, the group wasn’t initially aware of the extent of the process.
“It’s just government paperwork,” said Law. “It’s onerous, but the hardest part, I think, is the waiting. Egypt is not a priority where resettlement is concerned.”
Despite the setback of having to wait longer than expected, Law says that she keeps in touch with the family, frequently sharing photos, recipes, and new discoveries in language.
“I speak to the mother a few days a week, at least,” said Law. “They have a boy who’s about 14 who’s very studious and serious, as well as two six-year-old girls who are fraternal twins.” The father drives truck 6-7 days a week, and the mother has a background as a daycare worker.
Law says that when she first explained private sponsorship, the mother didn’t quite grasp the concept. “We told her that for a year, the family would be supported,” said Law. “When she asked us how we’d raise the money, we explained that the group would fundraise. She couldn’t believe it.”
The group’s five signatories helped to speed up the process, each signing on to shoulder any expenses not covered after fundraising. “We’ve currently raised something in the excess of $10,000, but we haven’t really pulled out all the stops because we know it’s going to be long.”
In response to topics of cultural tolerance, Law says that getting to know the family on a human level is key to changing the mass perspective.
“I’ve certainly heard people say ‘we have issues with our own,’ and so on,” said Law. “It’s totally true, but I don’t think it’s either-or, it’s both-and.”
SD&G Coalition for Refugee Support chair and North Stormont councillor, Randy Douglas says that bringing in refugees is not only good for rural life – it’s good for Canada. “We need population growth and have a lot of businesses with aging business owners,” said Douglas, “I’d like to think that we could have a long term flow of refugees settling in rural areas in Eastern Ontario.”
“It’s not about bringing in masses and crowds of people,” said Law. “It’s connection to connection, but really, it’s just like helping a friend.”
