Megan Bravo

Socials 11

Term Paper Socials 11

In comparison to the history of Canadas response to previous refugee crises, to what extent does
their response to the current Syrian refugee crisis embody the welcoming Canadian identity?
In March 2011, the uprising of the Syrian civil war began, leaving millions of innocent
citizens of the country to be caught in the midst of an ongoing conflict. The war has so far
injured thousands and caused the deaths of over 250,000 people and these dangers have forced
an estimated 9 million Syrians to flee their own country and seek refuge in others, including
Canada. Canada has a long history of responding to refugee crises, including a few poor
reactions but also many inviting responses, but the countrys reputation of being a nation of
friendliness and warm welcomes is based upon this history. The Canadian government, with the
support of the citizens, have worked hard and continue to do so to accommodate those affected
by the Syrian crisis in order to restore the hope for their futures, especially for the families,
children and single women, by welcoming them into Canada. The eagerness to help that the
majority of Canadians have shown towards the Syrian refugees embodies the national identity of
being a country of welcoming attitudes and the diverse nature of the nation. Through comparing
the historical Canadian experiences dealing with refugees to the current response of the refugees
from Syria, the countrys improvement is evident as they continue to strive towards maintaining
this identity.
Canadas history regarding previous refugee crises is what the current countrys
welcoming identity is based upon. The country of today is considered a safe haven for the
oppressed and a nation of acceptance and diversity. Throughout the 1900s into the 2000s, their
responses have significantly improved towards greeting all in need of homes and accommodating

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them into their country. In the earlier years of Canadian history, the government responded
poorly to refugee crises and excluded specific racial or religious groups due to the rising racist
ideas amongst the citizens at the time. Despite the countrys current diverse population, people of
colour didnt receive the acceptance that Canadians are known for today as the government
excluded many from settlement after implementing an Order in Council that specifically omitted
immigrants of any Asiatic race. Armenians were placed in this category and those that were
seeking new homes from the dangers in Turkey were refused admittance. Due to these strict
limitations, only the low amount of 1,300 Armenians were accepted to resettle into the country
between the World Wars. Placing this law against immigrants of a specific race shows harsh
discrimination which opposes the Canadian culture of equality and acceptance of everyone,
including all ethnicities. Another example of a poor response towards refugees seeking
resettlement was against the Jews aboard the St Louis ship in 1938 preceding the Second World
War. The ship was full of Jews attempting to escape Hitlers anti-Semitism government but due
to being rejected by Cuba, United States, Argentina, Paraguay, Panama and Canada, they were
forced to return to Europe and most of the passengers were detained in Nazi concentration camps
leading to their deaths. During this period, because of popular opinion, the anti-Semitism
movement arose in Canada among the public and the government, leading to the countrys
decision of refusal of these refugees. Out of the 800,000 Jews that were seeking refuge from the
oppression they received from Hitlers dictatorship, Canada only took in 4,000 refugees during
his reign in Germany. These previous incidences have left a permanent scar upon Canadas
reputation, however their responses have improved along the years as towards the end of the
1900s, the government became more welcoming and accepted a higher amount of refugees,
including those fleeing from the Hungarian Anti-Soviet revolution. Current Canadian citizen,

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Frank Palmay shared his personal experience in a The Star news article of fleeing Hungary as a
young boy and settling into Canada with his family. Canada and Venezuela were the only two
countries accepting refugees at this time and Palmay says hes forever grateful for his parents
decision of choosing to settle in Canada. He described how eager and willing the government
was to accommodate them into their country. Palmay says, Canada has a history of welcoming
those seeking refuge. They, in turn, have helped to build Canada into a highly regarded and
admired nation, as he praises the countrys efforts towards helping refugees. In 1986, the people
of Canada received the Nansen Award, which according to the UN Refugee Agency website,
honours extraordinary service to the forcibly displaced, because of the countrys constant
contribution to the cause of refugees within their country and around the world. Canada is the
only country to be honoured with this award as it is usually given to an individual or group, but
this exception shows the Canadian citizens extraordinary unity towards helping refugees.
Compared to their responses to the refugees in the early 1900s, Canadas achievements of this
award towards the end of the centennial demonstrate their progression as a nation from previous
incidents. The growing improvement regarding refugee crises among Canadians, with the
leadership of the government, is what led towards the warm welcome they have shown and
continue to do so to the Syrians who have arrived or are in the process of approval.
The government of Canada has shown immense hard work towards resettling as many
possible Syrians into the country ever since the power went to the Liberals from the hands of the
Conservatives. Prior to the October federal election of 2015, the Conservative government,
represented by the countrys Immigration Minister at the time, Chris Alexander, announced that
the party decided that the 10,000 refugees expected to arrive by 2018, are to be settled in Canada
by September 2016. They were focused on mainly helping Syrians that have been persecuted due

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to religion; this specific and therefore limited group of people demonstrating the partys
discrimination against those that arent religious or oppressed because of it. After the October
federal election in 2015, won by majority government of the Liberals, the party kept their
promise of allowing 25,000 Syrian refugees to settle into Canada with financial and security aid.
However this was promised to be taken place by the end of 2015, but the Liberals admitted this
wasnt possible and extended their plan to February 29, 2016. Although the plan had been
lengthened, this will enable all security and medical screening to be completed abroad and will
allow refugees to arrive in Canada as Permanent Canadian Residents, as explained by the
organization of Lifeline Syria. On November 9, 2015, the government created a new committee,
consisting of nine Cabinet ministers, with the goal of fulfilling their promise of settling 25,000
Syrian refugees into Canada. As of January 14 in early 2016, there have been roughly around
11,000 Syrian refugees who have arrived in Canada, 5,500 with finalized refugee applications
and 14,500 with applications in progress; overall dealing with approximately 31,000 Syrians
about a month and a half away from their promised date of 25,000 Syrian refugee resettlements
in Canada. As well as putting their plan into action by fulfilling their promises internationally,
the government officials have also shown sincere hospitality as the Syrians arrived in Canada;
including the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself single-handedly welcoming the first group
of refugees at the Toronto Pearson airport on the night of December 10, 2015. Along with
Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, both gave gifts of winter jackets, snow pants and even teddy
bears for the young children. The government showed an increase of eagerness and willingness
to reach out to the Syrian refugees in the midst of the conflict when the Liberals gained political
power, previously held by the Conservatives. As well as enforcing and fulfilling their plans, they
personally have shown genuine care and hospitality towards the refugees through their personal

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greetings. The level of engagement the government displays and their enthusiasm to help the
Syrian refugees sets an example to not only the Canadian citizens, but also to other countries
around the world.
The citizens of Canada have also responded willingly to those in need and affected by the
Syrian crisis. From donating money and opening the doors to their country and their own homes,
Canadians have outstretched many helping hands in order to provide assistance to the Syrian
people and help change their future, especially for the children and growing families. Listed on
the Global Affairs of Canada website, it states that to date, Canada has committed over $969
million in humanitarian, development and security assistance in response to the Syrian crisis,
showing the countrys efforts in monetary form. This positive response embodies Canadian
identity of a welcoming country, especially one that promotes diversity throughout the citizens of
their nation; clear through the invitation to the Syrians in need. The Canadian citizens have
shown a welcoming response through social media, greeting those that have landed at their local
airports and even opening the doors to their houses to accommodate newcomers. On social
media, Canadians generally shared their excitement and welcoming attitudes towards their new
neighbours on Twitter using the Liberal partys hashtag, #WelcomeRefugees. However, there
have been negative attitudes that have risen but these are treated as an individuals outlook rather
than the nations stand towards the refugees. An individual hate crime that occurred was a recent
attack on the night of January 8, 2016 on the streets of Vancouver as a group of refugees were
pepper sprayed by an unknown individual biking past them. The attack was strongly condemned
by the government leaders who claim that this isn't who we are - and doesn't reflect the warm
welcome Canadians have offered, tweeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on behalf of
himself and the citizens of the country following this incident. The victims of the attack have

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unexpectedly reacted in a positive manner and say that the incident has strengthened their faith in
Canada rather than in a poor way. Hazaa Sahal, one of the refugees affected by the incident,
explained how some of them initially regretted moving to Canada after the incident but quickly
changed their minds when they saw the overwhelming positive response from police, health
officials, the government and the Canadian public. Another refugee, Shadi al-Radi further
explained their gratitude as he said, We saw the attention that was given by the Prime Minister
himself. Now we have more confidence in Canada and more confidence in the government.
Ahmad Hwichan, also one of the dozen victims pepper sprayed also said four days after the
attack, This doesnt change my point of view of Canada. It will never change. This was
probably one guy who was drunk or, I dont know, crazy, recognizing that this attack was an
individuals hateful attitude and not the nations. The citizens unity was shown through their
support to these affected Syrian refugees and also through their greetings towards newly arrived
refugees after waiting for their landings at local airports. On December 28, 2015, supportive
citizens and waiting relatives greeted the extended family of Alan Kurdi, the three-year old boy
photographed lifeless on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea who turned into a viral controversy.
Canadian citizens have reacted supportively towards the Kurdi family after the photo of Alan
was heavily publicized and continue to outpour their sincere care towards the family, including
greeting them while arriving at the Vancouver airport. The overwhelming response the Kurdi
family has received is what Canada strives to be all about: warm welcomes and being inclusive
and supportive of all races, genders and religions. The majority of the attitudes have been
working towards this identity of the nation despite the few individuals opposing it. In contrast to
the early 1900s when Canada was a nation where some minorities received prejudice against

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race, resulting to even being denied entrance because of it, the country today has come a long
way in welcoming those seeking refuge in Canada.
In conclusion, todays welcoming Canadian identity, built on the improving refugee crises
responses in the past is embodied through the government and the citizens eager attitudes to
safely accommodate those affected by the crisis taking place in Syria. Although there was a delay
in taking action by the government prior to the election and offensive hate crimes done by
individuals, the country has radically improved since the refusal of Armenian and Jewish
refugees in the early 1900s. The Canadian government along with the citizens have been and
continue to greet the Syrian newcomers to the country with welcoming attitudes. Canada strives
to be a nation of diversity and acceptance and is working towards this goal every day; the
progress is clear as we reflect on the history of past responses to refugees.

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Works Cited
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<http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c467-page5.html>.
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Barton, Rosemary. "Canada's Syrian Refugee Plan Limited to Women, Children and
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<http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-refugee-plan-women-children-families1.3330185>.
"Canada Welcomes Syrian Refugees." Cic.gc.ca. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/>.
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http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/humanitarian_responsesituations_crises/syria-syrie.aspx?lang=eng
Crawford, Tiffany. "Trudeau Condemns Vancouver Pepper Spray Attack on Syrian
Refugees." National Post Trudeau Condemns Vancouver Pepper Spray Attack on Syrian
Refugees This Isnt Who Weare Comments. 10 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.
<http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/trudeau-condemns-vancouver-pepper-sprayattack-on-syrian-refugees-this-is-not-who-we-are>.
"Nansen Refugee Award." About the Award. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.unhcr.org/nansen/503743f86.html>.
News, CBC. "Conservative Government Aims to Resettle 10,000 Syrian Refugees by
September 2016." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 19 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-chris-alexander-refugees1.3235415>.
Omand, Geordon. "Syrian Refugees Pepper-sprayed in Vancouver Still Grateful to Canadians |
Toronto Star." Thestar.com. 13 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/01/13/syrian-refugees-pepper-sprayed-invancouver-still-grateful-to-canadians.html>.
Palmay, Frank. "Canada Acted Differently to Hungarian Refugees in 1956 | Toronto
Star." Thestar.com. 6 Jan. 2016. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/09/16/canada-acted-differently-to-hungarianrefugees-in-1956.html>.

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"Response to Nov24 Announcement." LifelineSyria. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.

<http://lifelinesyria.ca/response-to-nov24-announcement/>.
"Welcome to Your New Home: Justin Trudeau Greets Syrian Refugees Arriving in
Canada." Global News. 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2016.
<http://globalnews.ca/video/2394633/welcome-to-your-new-home-justin-trudeau-greetssyrian-refugees-arriving-in-canada/>