Syrian refugees: a winter of welcome

The federal government committed to welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016. During the night of December 10 to 11, 2015, a first military plane landed in Toronto with more than 160 people; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was waiting for them and handed out winter coats to the families. On December 12, 161 privately sponsored refugees arrived at Montréal-Trudeau airport. Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre were there. The newcomers were given warm clothing, documents and stuffed animals for the children.

By February 29, 2016, Canada had welcomed more than 25,000 Syrian refugees. According to the 2016 Census, among those who arrived between January 2015 and May 2016, 53% were government-assisted and 38% were sponsored by individuals and private groups. Quebec had 5,295 of them, 4,265 in the Montreal area.

The beginnings were not simple: at the time of the census, more than half still spoke neither French nor English. Hence the importance of the neighbours, volunteers, schools and employers who took over once the cameras had left. A country does not become a home by decree; it becomes one through gestures repeated again and again.