Syrian Refugees Will Bring Good to the Country, Say Immigration Lawyers in Canada
Syrian refugees have touched down in Ontario, but not all Canadians are pleased with the news. As with all change, it will take some getting used to. But with new people, and new beginnings, come new opportunities. This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last, that this will happen. With proper measures, such as the help Canadian immigration lawyers, the transition will be smoother. But let’s remember…
This Has Happened Before
After many crises, people have often been displaced from their homes, being forced to make the move to a new country. Many come as immigrants to Canada by choice. Almost two hundred years ago, the potato famine in Ireland and the Highland Clearings in Scotland sent over a million people seeking refuge in our country. Before they reached our shores, many died from sinking ships, disease, and starvation on their journey. Unfortunately, we see echoes of the same in this current crisis—but we have more power to help than ever before.
Why Syrian Refugees Are Good for Canada
Unemployment in Canada is at seven per cent. One might argue that the last thing we need is an increase in immigration to Canada. However, as the last of the baby boomers are reaching the age of retirement, the number of seniors has grown to almost a quarter of the Canadian population. Many communities are experiencing an ageing population and a low birth rate, and immigration is a great way to create equilibrium. Immigration lawyers in Canada can help relocate people to communities where they will have a chance to thrive—and everyone will benefit.
Different Cultures Bring New Innovations
The Prairies as we know them today are covered in wheat because of the Ukrainians who immigrated to Canada. A forestry school that has helped improve forestry practices was brought to the University of B.C. by Hungarian immigrants. Ten years later, more than 100,000 Vietnamese people fleeing the fall of Saigon to communist forces immigrated to Canada. The Vietnamese people’s successes are bountiful, such as nail salons run by Vietnamese women, which are a thriving business in Canada and has changed the manicure industry.
The Fear
With every wave of immigration in our country, there is a surge in anti-immigration sentiments—and each time, these ideas piggyback on international issues to justify their own existence, no matter how clearly flawed the reasoning is. Today, it’s the shadow of terrorism and extremism. But when the Hungarians came, authorities were concerned by the threat of communist agents and spies. There is always fear, but similarly, there is always hope that our compassion will prevail over our apprehension.
Immigration to Canada is what creates the unique tapestry of our nation. Taking appropriate action, involving Canadian immigration lawyers, will make this new wave of immigration prosperous—both for our new residents, and for our country.
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Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.